Due to the precautions countries across the world are taking to curb exposure to the coronavirus, famous parks in Vienna have all been closed for the duration. Because of this sudden lack of outdoor space within which to roam and feel at ease, Studio Precht designed a way for local residents to get access to nature while remaining appropriately distant from one another. Parc de la Distance is the name of the project proposed by the green architectural firm for a vacant lot in Vienna. Reminiscent of both Baroque and Zen gardens of the past, it will feature multiple spaced-out pathways for individuals to enjoy on foot. “Although our ‘Park de la Distance’ encourages physical distance,” the architects explain, “…it is shaped by the human touch: a fingerprint.”
While it is currently mandatory to remain at a distance from fellow residents as a means of mutual protection, the designers envision the park to remain an important respite from the noise and commotion of a bustling city once the pandemic has receded, and life returns to “normal.” the use of a fingerprint as the guiding shape reminds us how human we all are, whether battling an unseen scourge or seeking a little solitude amid the tumult of ordinary times.