22.10.2024

Sechs-Seen-Platte, Duisburg

Building design

The Sechs-Seen-Platte. Source: City of Duisburg, Ilja Höpping

Green forests as far as the eye can see. Several lakes with small islands are nestled in the middle. We are not talking about Scandinavia or the foothills of the Alps. In fact, this idyllic landscape is located in the industrial Ruhr region. This is the Sechs-Seen-Platte, which is located just a few kilometers from Duisburg city centre. You can find out more about this special recreational area here.

Green forests as far as the eye can see. In the middle of it all are several lakes with small islands. We are not talking about Scandinavia or the foothills of the Alps. In fact, this idyllic landscape is located in the industrial Ruhr region. This is the Sechs-Seen-Platte, which is located just a few kilometers from Duisburg city centre. You can find out more about this special recreational area here.

The popular local recreation area of Sechs-Seen-Platte is one of the most beautiful lake landscapes in the Ruhr region. And it is not even a natural occurrence. The historical context is as follows:

In 1890, the Wedau marshalling yard was built in the densely wooded “Huckinger Mark” area. In the course of the growing freight traffic along the Rhine and in the Ruhr area, the station was expanded into a large marshalling yard at the beginning of the twentieth century. The settlement of the same name was also built nearby. For cost reasons, the local gravel and sand deposits were used for the construction projects. Deep holes were dug that reached far below the groundwater table. This is how Lake Masuria was created.

Over the years, more and more lakes were added as a result of this approach, and some of them joined together: Lake Wambachsee, Lake Böllertsee, Lake Wildförster, Lake Wolfssee and Lake Haubachsee. The Haubachsee was not completely dredged until 2001. The water surface of the Sechs-Seen-Platte now measures 158 hectares. Although the Entenfang lake is in the immediate vicinity, it is no longer part of the area.

Nowadays, the Sechs-Seen-Platte is a popular and highly frequented excursion destination. It is not only Duisburg residents who come here, but also those seeking relaxation in the Ruhr and Lower Rhine regions. Books have even been written about the dense forests and sparkling blue water.

Local recreation area

The local recreation area covers around 283 hectares. Accordingly, there are many leisure opportunities here. And the Sechs-Seen-Platte is accessible all year round and free of charge. The twenty-five-kilometre network of paths enables activities such as walking, jogging and hiking. The paths lead through the shady forest around the lakes. You can also walk between the water areas along small dams. There are also cycle paths and bridleways as well as playgrounds, water sports facilities and even a natural swimming pool. A few viewpoints, restaurants and shelters round off the leisure facilities.

Nature reserve

Only the Haubachsee is a nature reserve and therefore not accessible. Instead of crowds of people, there are herds of grazing goats. The Wolfsberg is also located between Wolfssee and Haubachsee. This is around twenty-eight meters higher than the surrounding area. It originated as a garbage and debris dump after the Second World War. Today, the Wolfsberg is adorned with the steel “6-Seen-Platte” observation tower. At twenty-two meters high, you have a fantastic panoramic view from here. In addition to the green-blue landscape of the Sechs-Seen-Platte, in good weather you can see Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Bottrop and the landmarks of the Rhineland.

Swimming pool with water sports

The Duisburg city area has over twenty lakes. However, the city only permits three of them as bathing waters with good water quality. With regard to the Sechs-Seen-Platte, this is only the outdoor pool at Wolfssee. This natural swimming pool is located on the northern edge of Wolfssee. With 450 meters of sandy beach and 30,000 square meters of sunbathing area, it is one of Duisburg’s most popular leisure destinations. In addition to the natural swimming pool, there is a paddling pool with a pirate ship for small children. The grounds also include a beach volleyball court, a badminton court and a beach soccer pitch. You can also hire stand-up paddle boards, canoes and pedal boats here. In the meantime, there is also something for the hungry. In addition to a café, there are barbecue areas and a kiosk.

Sailing

The Duisburger Yachtclub e.V., the Duisburger Segelclub e.V., a canoeing club and a windsurfing club are located on the shores of the Masurensee / Wambachsees. The Sechs-Seen-Platte near Duisburg is ideal for water sports. Here, idyllic scenery meets challenging wind conditions. Under the motto “Duisburg sails”, the Duisburg Sailing Days have developed into a new institution. On these weekends, six regattas compete against each other. In addition to competitions, recreational or trial sailing is also possible.

Fishing

The Sechs-Seen-Platte in Duisburg is also a fishing water. This is a real treat for anglers – because in addition to the scenic beauty, the lakes are full of different species of fish. But of course you can only fish here with a fishing license and permit.

Play

If the water is not enough fun for you, there are plenty of playgrounds in the area. There is a water and adventure playground between Wambachsee and Böllertsee. There is another playground on Kalkweg.

… and what happens when it gets too much? The high level of use has now taken its toll on the local recreation area, sometimes through vandalism. Paths, playgrounds and banks have had to be renovated.

The special nature of the Sechs-Seen-Platte radiates naturally. For example, “6-Seen-Wedau”, one of the largest urban development projects in Germany, is currently being built in the south of Duisburg. A residential area with around 3,000 units is being built here on 60 hectares of derelict railroad land. This will be located directly on Lake Masuria à la “living by the lake”. The project therefore advertises itself as sustainable and water-sensitive urban planning. However, many residents are skeptical about the construction project. They see the quality of their beloved lake landscape at risk.

Find out more about the 6-Seen-Wedau residential area here. The world’s longest climate wall is being planned there.

20.01.2025

Design

A monument in granite

Building design

An archaic-looking monument stands in the heart of New York. Embedded in a park, granite weighing several tons forms a memorial space in memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his speech on the four freedoms.

Photo/©Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park/Iwan Baan

Almost a year ago, the time had come: the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park was opened to the public. The designs were drawn up in 1973 and 1974, but due to Kahn’s death and numerous other unfavorable circumstances, they have not yet been implemented. Now, forty years later, the stone testimony of granite blocks weighing tons sits enthroned at the tip of Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York. With millimeter precision, huge granite blocks form an atmospheric space, behind whose walls the skyline of the mega-city is relegated to secondary importance. Instead, the view is of the river, the bridge and the sky. In a tapering park, the visitor is led through avenues and withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of the city. Their attention is automatically drawn to the monument to the speech made by President Roosevelt on the eve of America’s entry into the war in 1941, in which he argued about the moral preconditions for military intervention.

Thirty blocks of granite, 3.70 meters high and weighing 36 tons each, are positioned on the north, west and east sides of the platform to create a memorial space measuring just 18 square meters and lined with granite slabs. This opens to the south side to unfold the magnificent panorama of the East River in front of the President’s words carved in stone.

Louis Kahn chose the granite for the monument himself. The stone had to be as pure as possible – without inclusions – and have an absolutely homogeneous surface. The architect attached particular importance to the stone surface not being veined in order to achieve the most glistening white-grey surface possible. This is why he ultimately chose the granite from Mount Airy in North Carolina. This quarry is the largest surface quarry in the world. The granite blocks and granite slabs were left as rough as possible in accordance with Louis Kahn’s specifications and were therefore not reworked or only minimally reworked.

Read more about the “Four Freedoms Memorial” in STEIN 5/2014.
You can find out more about Franklin T. Roosevelt, his presidency and his famous speech on the “Four Freedoms” on the “Digital Resource” website of the Four Freedom Park at fdr4freedoms.org.

22.10.2024

#KitchenInspiration

Stone meets kitchen

Building design

The large Dolomia stone block is a real eye-catcher. Who has a sink like this in their kitchen? The kitchen project by CovaCucine and furniture manufacturer Grassi Home features a linear kitchen that stands out from the crowd with the stone sink. The history of kitchen manufacturer CovaCucine began around 200 years ago and is now in its sixth generation. Not only the kitchen manufacturer, but also the GrassiHome furniture factory has been in existence for several generations since 1965.

Take a look at this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cova Cucine (@covacucine)