Today we went to visit a post-industrial site that became an area for lower-income housing. Küppersbusch, the name of the site is built on the grounds of an old factory. This site is interesting because it captures 80% of the rainwater in a gutter system. From there it is sent back into the ground. This is done by using four different gutter systems and a huge underground basin. The rainwater is collected in the gutters, and two gutters meet at either end of the basin at a downpipe and a swale carries the water into the basin. Another interesting thing about this site is that it is for lower-income residents but is designed to look very pleasing. All of the wires are underground so there are no ugly power lines to obstruct residents’ views. Each block of housing is designed by the same architect, but each one is different giving the place a lot of character which is not typical of lower-income housing.
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