Interested in the latest landscape architecture competition results, but hardly have time to look at them properly? In the G+L competition overview, Heike Vossen provides information on the most exciting competition results of the last two weeks and what you need to know about them.
Since the 1970s, the design of the artist Jürgen Hans Grümmer has characterized the large and small Offenbachplatz in Cologne – with the colourful geometry of the floor slabs and a circular mosaic fountain. The city was now looking for suitable furnishings for the renovated square areas of the opera quarter in an expert opinion process. Together with UKW Innenarchitekten, Förder Landschaftsarchitekten impressed with a scaled-down and reduced design that does not add any new shapes but reacts to the existing forms. In their design, the planners take up the circular element and multiply the fountain ring by four additional rings, which enliven the square as large seating sculptures. The rings embrace the existing trees and emphasize the individual locations. From the outside, the shape and profile convey an almost floating lightness that is intended to pay respect to the listed surroundings. The jury praised the “productive tension” with the strict geometry of the listed opera house (architect Wilhelm Riphahn, † 1963).
Fröndenberg in the Sauerland region needs a redesigned town center that guarantees a high mix of functions as an attractive attraction. In the open design competition, [ f ] landschaftsarchitektur came out on top among six participants. Without a bold central idea, the planning office developed a coherent design for the sequence of squares and connecting traffic-calmed street spaces using unagitated means. According to Susanne Weihrauch, Managing Director of [ f ] landschaftsarchitektur, the basic idea was to take what already exists and develop it further. The market square will remain as a robust stone town square. The Bruayplatz to the west retains its green character, strengthened by a loose tree canopy and a cleverly staged water feature that makes use of the newly created terracing. The jury primarily praised the differentiated design of the two central squares. A uniform granite floor covering acts as a link and frame.
Ludwigsburg has designated a centrally located but previously backyard-dominated “residual area” as a potential park. The ideas and realization competition calls for an increase in the quality of stay, while integrating the historic tree population and the necessary park areas close to the center. Out of 17 participants, Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur came out on top with a near-natural concept for the future Walckerpark. The planners derived the morphology of the park from studies on the flow pattern of liquids and used it as an analogy for a soft pathway, the edges of which are not precisely defined and without borders. According to the jury, they thus achieve a coherent, natural park area in which recreational areas and connections from the outside are integrated in a meaningful way. Based on the “nest”, which provides protection and a sense of security, the authors envisage specially developed furnishings. They reinforce the individual and singular character of the park. The elements serve as retreats or as places for sporting activities.
Heike Vossen is a freelance landscape architect and a graduate of the School of Journalism. As a specialist journalist, she writes on topics for the construction and planning industry. Her specialist book “Gärten am Hang” was published by Eugen Ulmer. Contact: info@gruentext.de
