Space Matrix – Negative Space as a Connector of Discontinuous Positive Space : A Comparative Analysis of O.M. Ungers’ Projects «Neue Stadt in Köln» and «The City in the City. Berlin: A Green Archipelago»

Abstract

This study compares two projects from Oswald Mathis Ungers on different scales; the housing project «Neue Stadt in Köln» and the urban planning project «The City in the City. Berlin: A Green Archipelago». Thereby, the following question will be investigated: what are the similarities in terms of space usage and generation between those projects? The Goal is, to define and name the similarities between Ungers’ housing and urban planning project through an analysis and breakdown of different figure ground plans and their comparison. As a result, this study shows, that both projects make use of the so-called positive (solid) and negative (void) space approach, where the negative space functions as a container to inhabit certain kind of temporary events. The negative space forms a kind of space matrix, which connects discontinuous solids and groups them together.