Gundeldinger Feld

Housing and commercial units were built across the entire formerly green belt district of Gundeldingen from 1870 onward. A factory was put up on the site. Initially it produced ribbon looms for manufacturers of silk ribbons. A machine factory settled later on.

The former owner of the factories decided to close the Basel production facilities in 1999. A civic group quickly formed and was determined to repurpose the land, which is surrounded by many residential buildings. They were keen to create a lively place for people in the neighbourhood to meet, for young people and adults to work and spend their leisure time. And in all of this, Gundeldinger Feld was designed to become a pilot project for the 2000-watt society.

Today, Gundeldinger Feld is used in lots of different ways: restaurants and cafés, offices, studios and practice rooms, a climbing hall, a library, a youth centre, a brewery, a backpacker hotel, and many more have all made this place their home.

 
All tenants are committed to reducing their energy consumption. Also, the concept demands that as much as possible of the energy used in Gundeldinger Feld should be produced here. Three photovoltaic systems have already been installed, and others are planned.

Do you see the tower with the rusty stairs in the middle: that used to be a silo for storing coal for the factory. But these days, since the coal is no longer needed, the silo is being put to a different use. Three floors were fitted, turning old coal funnels and shafts into small rooms, offices and conference facilities. Their smart layout means they can be combined at will. The olive facade panels on the front of the building, and the blue ones on the back, are photovoltaic modules that together with a photovoltaic system fitted to the roof produce renewable solar power. It’s not just sensible and climate-friendly, it’s also a colourful landmark in Gundeldinger Feld.