Flood protection Almbach, Hallein

Protection against flooding necessitated a massive wall on the Almbach in the town of Hallein in Austria. Short warning times made a structure necessary that greatly reduces the visual reference to the river. The design concept of structuring the wall in a scaled way reduces the massiveness of the structure. A sophisticated and yet cost-effective construction results in a 'human' and site-specific dimensioning and a compatible integration into the surroundings.

The separating effect of the 500 m long wall is reduced by dividing it into different, offsetting segments, which allow views of the river. Furthermore, an alignment with the dimensions of the adjacent parezzas and buildings is achieved. In addition to the division into segments, the entire surface is softened with a rhythmic concept of shadow gaps and crevices, making the structure seem less heavy. In addition, the plantings in front of the wall form a soft and lively contrast to the concrete and loosen the image. The visible height could be reduced by a plinth. This makes the structure usable as a seating element on the one hand and brings it closer to the human scale on the other.