Serendipity – Upper Waters
Zürich, Switzerland
Prof. Christophe Girot – FS21
Elective Course
ETHZ
Throughout the historic development of Zurich it’s water supply has been critical to its flourishing as a city. Drinking water could initially only be sourced from groundwater wells or local springs. Both of which still play a role in today’s water supply. But additionally and most importantly today is the sourcing of lake water. The latest opportunity gradually became possible due to a combination of better filtration systems and the cleaning of rivers and lakes in and around Zurich.
Today the drinking water in Zürich is stored in hidden chambers underground before it is ultimately directed to the user. Although being vital to everyday life, these very specifically designed and highly connected infrastructures remain mostly out of sight. The fresh-water reservoirs form a ring of single bodies located on the hilltops around the city’s center. In total two seawater plants, a groundwater plant and six reservoirs form a second lake of the city—decentralized, artificial, underground.
The reservoir Lyren is the largest of them. It consists of 4 independent chambers with a total capacity of 60’000 m3 of water.
Here is also the lowest point of Zurich, namely the cavern which lies 34 meters below the level of Lake Zurich.
The goal of the elective course was to understand the spatial characteristics drawn by light and sound and create a new perception of these places.
One Image and one soundtrack were developed for the final exhibition to tell an audiovisual story of these mystical places underground.
https://girot.arch.ethz.ch/courses/elective-courses/upper-waters
