Architectural Design V-IX: Paysage Horloger (GD C. Baumann)

Abstract

La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle in the canton of Neufchâtel have developed over time a specific type of urbanism: the “urbanisme horloger.” Craft, patience, time, and care have shaped not only the towns but also their surroundings, that we propose to describe here as a “paysage horloger”: a tranquil landscape, where meticulous maintenance have allowed the emergence of a timeless landscape.

Objective

We will use the designated location as a case study to explore the potential of this specific landscape, in an iterative process between site exploration and studio work. Students will have to learn to deal with a large-scale territory, grasping the scale of the site and find appropriate tools to both understand and act upon it. The semester will be divided in three phases: atlas, landscape strategy and project development. During the first stage of the atlas, groups of students will be assigned a specific topic related to either soil, geology, urbanism, forest, pasture or agriculture, and will have to get acquainted with the theme within the site boundaries. The site visit will be an important moment to develop an understanding of a complex landscape as well as a sensitive reading. The production of a series of territorial mappings, razor-blade sections, sketches, landscape axonometry and diagrams will allow to review and cartography the characteristics of the given landscape. The presentation of the atlas will require to show an objective analysis of the given ecosystem and will also need to comprise a sensitive reading, supported by the collection of various landscape artefacts (leaves, stone, or water samples, amongst others). A sketch model will be required. During the second part of the semester, a landscape strategy will be developed in order to understand the potential of the chosen landscape over time. The scenarios will aim to develop a vision anticipating the development of the site within a time frame of 5 to 70 years. The use of GIS cartography will furthermore permit to grasp the various layer of complexities of that given territory. This work will be supplemented by the realisation of a landscape plan, sections, concept sketch and a presentation model. One or two scenarios may be presented during the mid-term review. Their potential for further development will be assessed. A hand-sketching workshop will be conducted. Within the last stage of the semester, each group will be asked to develop in further detail a part of their chosen scenario and will be required to demonstrate how the resulting project brings ecological and social values to the site. This will be supported by the creation of an ecological section, showing an informed view of the interaction between soil, fauna and flora. A non-human narrative will be developed in order to grasp a different viewpoint on the site. A presentation model will be required. Throughout the semester, specific inputs in the field of landscape architecture will give practical as well as conceptual tools to broaden the studio discussion.

Content

The canton of Neufchâtel in the western part of Switzerland is located within the territory of the folded Jura, bordered on the north side by the French administrative boundary and on the South side by the Neufchâtel Lake. It is within this landscape that the two towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have developed since the 17th century a specific type of urbanism, the “urbanisme horloger”: a rational and linear urban pattern allowing maximum light intake to the watch-making workshops for which the region is renowned, and endowed with the title of Unesco World Heritage site. Producing watches has to do with craft, time, patience, and care. Natural light is also an important feature that allows craftsmen to work long hours on the assembly line, producing very precise and incredibly small pieces and gears. Craft, patience, care and light have also shaped the landscape surrounding both towns, which is composed of pastures, meadows, deciduous forests, fields still partly surrounded by bocage hedges, and wetlands formerly used for peat extraction. Similar to watchmaking, time is an essential feature of this tranquil landscape, that we propose here to describe as a “paysage horloger”: a time-watching environment, where meticulous sets of interventions have allowed the emergence of a timeless landscape within the folds of the mountainous range. A palimpsest territory is here especially perceptible, made of layers upon layers of care and maintenance practices. This almost remote location at the footstep of the Jura is nevertheless experiencing change, albeit at its own pace. Plots of lands are being redistributed, leading to the removal of hedges and the slow disappearance of the bocage landscape. Drained fields are cultivated in areas where previously peat bogs and swamps were teeming with life. The precise craft of watchmaking has been scaled up into larger tax-free industrial areas, leaving behind a plethora of decommissioned sites turning into fallows while they wait for an uncertain future. Sylvopasture practices still take place and wild meadows expand between the deciduous forests located on the rim of the Jura´s folds, whose ecotone entails a still partly untapped ecological potential. Soil is fertile and full of life, but prone to depletion and erosion. Mines of natural asphalt reveal a surprising underground geology. What is today the potential of this region? What are the possible futures for this “paysage horloger”? How can we enhance the features of this special space, boost its ecological qualities, and therefore ensure it a sustainable future? Slow paced and long-term transformations have here the potential to enhance the qualities of this peaceful landscape. We will during this semester investigate the qualities of this territory though the analysis of the site: geology, waterways, forest and natural areas, agriculture practices and settlement´s distribution. This will allow us to draw an informed picture of the site and to capture not only its existing qualities, but also its future potential. The formulation of this natural atlas will subsequently allow to develop a landscape strategy, taking time as a primary factor to think the long-term development of this “paysage horloger”. A zoom-in on a designated site will permit to devise the qualities and atmosphere of the space using the primary tools of landscape architecture: topography, vegetation, water management and maintenance.

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