Synapsis – a city vision for Vienna

Masterthesis 2018 – Vienna University of Technology

With the same density, one square kilometer of Vienna‘s 2nd district is replaced by a new city form. The aim is to improve the negative aspects of conventional city models (in particular the perimeter block development in Vienna), such as low green areas, the high proportion of streets and bad lighting conditions, due to high density.

A continuous landscape level should be reserved entirely for pedestrians and cyclists. The motorized traffic takes place only on the roofs and avoids unattractive cuts through the landscape.

The principle is based on 2 grids. One grid forms the „road grid“ – a building structure, which takes the essential roads and continues the traffic on the roof. The second grid forms the „building grid“ – a building structure that stretches between the road grids, rests on individual points and forms pyramidal high points. By resting the building grid on individual points and through generous underpasses under the road grid, a infinite landscape level is created.

A small built-up area in combination with the infrastructure on the roof ensures a complete reversal of the area shares – in favor of a significantly higher quality of life. The structure created in this way reminds of synapses connecting over the landscape, giving this project the title „Synapsis“.

Urban farming and aquaponic contribute to the food production in a roof landscape level and create another natural level. The apartments also experience significant improvements through flexibility, changeability and more exterior space.

Finally, Synapsis combines the benefits of a more natural-rural life with the urban life and allows for a better interaction between man and nature in an increasingly urbanized society.