The installation is 40,000 m². It consists of a 445-metre-long
canal system, which flows into three retention basins in the
southern part of the area. The canals are also called 'snake runs'
named after the dried-up river beds, used by skaters for many
years, and which 'snake' through the landscape. The retention basin
itself could be a skate bowl.
Photo: GHB Landscape Architects
The installation works as
follows: the three basins, named Søen (the lake), Engen (the
meadow) and Bowlen (the bowl) are filled one by one when it rains
heavily and for long periods. When it rains heavily, the GBH
Landscape Architects' sculptural rain steps lead down the water to
Søen. Then the water can run across the Engen, which is located on
the other side of the Bowl.
Photo: GHB Landscape Architects
If it rains extremely hard and for a long period, the water from
the canals will eventually fill up the Bowl.
The rainwater can
then be pumped up into the sewer system and then discharged into
Roskilde Fjord. The recreational elements of the installation have
meant that the installation has been dimensioned differently than
normal. For example, the rainwater canal would usually have been
smaller and straighter.
When the entire Musicon district is finished, expectations are
that all three basins will only fill up every ten years. The lake
basin has a daily water volume of about 1,000 m³, but the overall
basin can hold at total of 23,000 m³ rainwater. The basins alone
cover an area the size of a football field and can hold the same
volume of water as 10 swimming pools.
Drawing: GHB Landscape Architects