Plankerheide | Krefeld
3. Prize | Plankerheide
Krefeld
In collaboration with schneider + schumacher
Urban islands in the green
The outstanding quality of the new neighbourhoods is their location between the park-like cemetery and the nature reserve of the Bruch. The concept organises the neighbourhoods as islands in the green space and creates connections via green corridors between the cemetery and the fields. Manageable settlement contexts are created, each with its own centre and different focal points. These focal points correspond to the functional requirements, which in turn refer to the location to Fischeln’s town centre as well as to the traffic connections.
It seems sensible, for example, to locate the public functions of the House of Education with primary school, parent centre and day care centre, as well as the sports halls in the north, where the tram and the K-Bahn provide convenient transport links. Here, a multi-storey car park and a few stopping places have also been chosen in an accessible location that does not require crossing the residential quarters to pick up children from school or daycare. The area on Kölner Straße is already separated from the other areas of the development by the southern cemetery area. It therefore makes sense to establish a separate urban village context here. In addition to the residential buildings with terraced houses, semi-detached houses and apartment buildings, an above-ground neighbourhood car park adapted to the number of parking spaces required is located here, as in the other two islands. The middle island, which adjoins the cemetery area to the east, has a similar but somewhat more organic structure.
The islands themselves have blocks of different sizes that are semi-open around a courtyard. This structure refers to the existing square courtyards in the neighbouring landscape and interprets them further. The development of the courtyard connections features all different types of housing to allow for a good social mix and interaction between the generations.
Traffic/mobility concept
The concept is based on the idea of creating a low-traffic neighbourhood that should not be crossed by MIV. The existing connection at the edge of the area between Eichhornstraße and Kölner Straße is to continue to be reserved for cyclists and pedestrians only. A new, spacious traffic area connects the centres of the islands and is designed as a shared space. Only a few private vehicles will be on the road there; in the future, the self-driving shuttle will operate here. The tree-lined street space offers space for all road users and, thanks to its furniture, surfacing and high-quality fittings, is a space for neighbourhood residents to meet. The neighbourhood garages contain parking spaces on the upper floors, while the ground floor is to provide additional uses such as a bicycle shop with a workshop, a kiosk, if possible, a café, and of course a bicycle garage as well as opportunities to rent bicycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes, scooters, trolleys for transporting shopping home, etc. The neighbourhood garages are also to be equipped with a bicycle park. The network of paths for pedestrians and cyclists connects as well as possible with the paths in the surrounding area and the cemetery and develops them further into the neighbourhoods.
Open space: design elements
The urban design figure divides the open space very naturally into attractive public square and play street areas without traffic impact, semi-public residential courtyards and the private green spaces allocated to the ground floor flats. All square and street spaces follow the principle of the sponge city with the highest possible proportion of infiltration-capable pavements, sunken tree beds for rainwater retention and a balanced mix of green and paved areas to create an optimal amenity and play area. Where appropriate, rainwater is channelled into open gutters and ditches and, where possible, infiltrated into the area. All footpaths in and through the neighbourhood are naturally linked to the network of paths in the cemetery and the surrounding area. In addition to the obligatory climate resilience of the large trees, the plant selection is oriented towards a flower-rich, near-natural appearance with high drought tolerance, which not only strengthens biodiversity but also offers varied flowering aspects throughout the year. The furniture in timeless design under the motto Less-is-More aims at the highest possible utility value for all age groups and is built in a robust, vandalism-proof design. If there is sufficient interest, the designation of areas for social farming in the inner courtyards of the blocks is conceivable. These are designed as meeting places for the closer neighbourhood with play facilities for the younger children, communicative bench and table groups and sufficient lawn areas for playing and storage.
Economy and sustainability
A sustainable neighbourhood is defined above all by changeable, flexible but durable structures of development and building. Materials and furnishings are of high quality, and are planned to be recyclable throughout. Sealing is kept to a minimum, which can be achieved by reducing the number of drivable areas. The near-natural design of the meadow areas favours biodiversity and the water balance; the continuation of the characteristic tree population from the cemetery into the green corridors also ensures a pleasant, cool microclimate. Square areas are sparsely paved, action areas can also be designed with water-bound surfaces and are shaded by typical square trees and enhanced with water features or fountains. The courtyard areas are suitable locations for shady tree plantings because they are not underpinned by underground garages, so that overall a green, tree-covered neighbourhood is created that has a favourable climate for people and the environment.
Popular neighbourhoods are sustainable neighbourhoods: Following on from the spacious, tree-lined residential areas of the north of Krefeld, a neighbourhood with a generous, relaxed atmosphere is to be created here, with which the residents like to identify and which enables a modern, casual and diverse existence in harmony with the surroundings.
City Centre | Borgentreich
3. Prize | City Centre
Borgentreich
A new centre for the organ city
The design concept for the town centre area of the organ town of Borgentreich envisages an upgrading of the historically significant ensemble of church, organ museum and the surrounding half-timbered houses. A strong, green framework will create a central square where the church and the organ museum are located, thus creating a new centre that is appropriate to the location. This square offers space for intergenerational stays, festivals, markets and meetings in front of the church. Appropriate shading and evaporation areas and the use of light-coloured materials will create a climate-adapted urban space.
In the existing building, the organ museum and the church are located on different sides of the street without any connection to each other. There is also a lack of spatial edges around the buildings that would define a common space. By creating a green framework, the necessary boundaries are created. The intensive green framework also forms a sustainable green space within the city. Additional trees will be planted to provide shade and retain moisture in order to minimise the heating of the open spaces in summer. The existing lawns around the church will be transformed into a church garden with herbaceous areas and shrubs. This will allow much more rainwater to seep away and evaporate. When selecting plants, a variety of species is taken into account so that plants are always in bloom throughout the year and thus provide food for insects. At the same time, the plants are robust against longer periods of drought in the summer months. The existing trees will be integrated into the new structure. Individual benches along the church invite visitors to linger in the new church garden.
The open and free square created within the lush, green framework forms the new ‘heart’ of Borgentreich’s town centre. The square is divided into three areas – a church forecourt, a small central town square that extends in front of the organ museum and a further, more secluded square behind the museum. The direct entrance area of the church will have a carpet of large-format, used natural stone slabs. Here, people can stand in the trellis for weddings and socialise after church services. At the end of the carpet, the existing wall to the south merges into two steps that lead down to the street. This further defines and accentuates the church forecourt. Thanks to the natural topography of the square, the church can be accessed barrier-free via the square without any structural installations.
The new small stone paving made of natural stone connects the square areas across the street and draws them together into a single unit. Motorised traffic is guided across the square and sensitised to the use of the square by the visual and tactile change in material.
By slightly reducing the width of the carriageway in favour of the open space, a large, appropriate area is created in front of the organ museum. The space can be used as a place to stay and for catering. Large benches, some with backrests, will be placed around the existing tree in the centre of the square to create a spacious recreation area. The tree is integrated into the paved square with an open tree disc. A space for markets and festivals will be created around the central element to enliven the city centre square. The square will be furnished discreetly and appropriately for the location.
The furniture is made from certified wood and regionally produced materials to avoid long delivery routes. Passing the organ museum on the side, you reach the third area. The green frame also surrounds this area with a lush green back. The square will have a water-bound path surface with light-coloured litter, setting it apart from the central town square in terms of design and giving it its own identity. The existing trees will also be integrated into the new square in order to create large crowns with appropriate shade. A fountain enlivens the small square and provides a pleasant soundscape. The catering facilities are distributed around three sides of the organ museum and thus enliven the adjacent open spaces.
The street space will be massively upgraded with new tree planting. In both Bogenstraße and Marktstraße, the existing motif of the row of trees will be supplemented and completed by new plantings. This will give the street an important green atmosphere. Climate trees suitable for the new challenges in the urban climate will be planted. All new tree plantings will have a tree trench in which the rainwater from the pavements and the street will be collected and seeped away. At the same time, additional water is available to the tree in the event of prolonged drought. The existing tree plantings will be given an open, planted tree disc. The road cross-section will be reduced slightly to create more space for the peripheral areas. The width required for buses to pass each other will be maintained. This will create more space for pedestrians and stationary traffic and give the trees enough room to grow. The new trees will noticeably improve the urban climate, as the shade they cast will reduce the heating of the paved areas and any water that accumulates will be retained in the green areas, where it can seep away and evaporate. The market street will be marked by a low kerb and an open drainage trough.
The redesign gives Bogenstrasse an open, green character. The rainwater that accumulates here runs into the green tree discs of the single-row tree planting, where it can seep away and evaporate. The carriageway itself is only discreetly defined by marker nails. The pavement extends across the entire open space and creates a generous road space in which all road users are equally entitled to use.
Parking spaces for bicycles and cars are created between the tree plantings. Additional seating elements invite people to linger and enliven the street space. The lighting supports the design concept with different intensities. The street lighting will be continued as in the existing design. The new central town square between the church and the museum will also be given special lighting, which will make the new square a single entity even in the twilight and evening hours. The church garden and Rudolf-Reuter-Platz will be fitted with more discreet bollard luminaires.
The design concept, proportions and furnishings are intended to emphasise the character of the small town square. Robust, green and multifunctional, it will be available to residents as a new centre in the future.
En route to the lake | Inden-Schophoven
3. Prize | En route to the lake
Inden-Schophoven
Inden Schophoven’s new green heart.
Open space concept ❘ Over the coming years the entire surrounding area is due to undergo major transformation. An expansive industrial zone, currently inaccessible, will give way to an extensive recreational area with a lake, and this will be made accessible to the public. This will mean a radical change too for Inden Schophoven. This transformation offers a huge opportunity for sustainable development, since the whole region will not only be facing substantial demands due to the change in utilisation, but also climate change. Our design responds to both these key factors. The future park will become part of the region’s tourism concept and at the same time provide a sustainable local recreation area with blue-green infrastructure, while also creating a vista stretching from the Müllenark estate to the lake. Alongside the design for the park, the Müllenark estate will also be incorporated into the project. Here, in future, the focus will be on tourism with the creation of a green inner courtyard incorporating comfortable seating areas for both gastronomy and hotel guests.
The blue-green ribbon ❘ The park stretches from the Müllenark estate to the edge of the future lake. A meandering path connects these two places in a natural way. The path is flanked by a similarly curved retention basin, which splits as it reaches the lake, forming an island. The concept envisages not only the collection, infiltration and evaporation of rainwater within the park grounds, but also channelling rainwater from the surrounding publicly accessible areas into the park and then into the retention basin. Following heavy rainfall, this will create a watercourse leading into the lake. During periods of normal rainfall, individual puddles will form within the trough thus producing constant fluctuation between a water-bearing depression and a dry, utilisable hollow. A selection of resilient plants emphasises precisely these features. In addition to the central depression, some of the remaining areas are also slightly deepened, so they too can serve as retention areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
Modelling ❘ The entire park area is modelled according to these demands and uses, with the principal aim of ensuring all materials remain on site. Excavated spoil from the depression will be employed to form small hills for play and relaxation, or landscaped with plants. The new island will also use this spoil to form it and build it up. Here, intensive greening complete with nesting and nourishing shrubs and insect hotels provides a refuge for animals.
Resources and planting ❘ In selecting materials, emphasis has been placed on the responsible use of resources. Great importance is attached to ensuring short supply routes, using local materials and CO2-neutral forms of production. The extent of paved areas is deliberately kept to a minimum. It is only the meandering paths and the access routes through the park that have a water-permeable surface, whereby the top layer is strewn with a local gravel mix. The area next to the lake will be paved in keeping with the overall plan for the lake promenade. The steps in front are made of prefabricated concrete elements, providing an attractive place to linger right by the water. Furniture and play equipment in the park will be manufactured from certified, durable wood. Planting in the park is deliberately varied, with intensively planted areas alternating with open lawns and meadows. Towards the periphery, areas become more intensively planted. Not only do the various tree types stand closer together, they are also underplanted with shrubs. These are nourishing shrubs and thus provide habitats for animals. In selecting the plants, careful thought has been given to species diversity and sustainability, with a view to increasing biodiversity in the park.
Promenade and transition to lake ❘ The development of Site 2, located between Schlichstrasse and the future lake, will take place in several stages. In the next few years, the existing completely greened shielding wall will be preserved. This area will only be accessible via a simple network of paths. The meandering path through the park, leading from the Müllenark estate continues as a smaller path over the shielding wall and terminates in a viewing platform from which visitors can trace the area’s evolution – from open-cast mine to lake – on display boards highlighting this transformation. Two temporary areas on the shielding wall itself, invite visitors to linger under the trees. To mark the access to the emerging park, troughs already extend under the road as far as the embankment, so rainwater can be captured directly. In order to later merge these two sites into a single park and to create both a visual axis and a hydraulic engineering connection from the Müllenark estate to the lake, the existing shielding wall will be demolished.
Schlichstrasse ❘ A zebra crossing is being installed so that visitors can cross Schlichstrasse safely and move easily between one side of the park and the other.
Lighting concept ❘ Lighting is designed to structure the night-time atmosphere and ensure visitors’ safety. Dark corners and potential danger spots will be illuminated. This will encourage people to use the park during the evening hours and help create a feeling of security. To prevent vandalism, a sufficient number of high mast lights will be provided at regular intervals equipped with energy-saving LED luminaires, which not only protect the environment, but also reduce running costs. Park lighting is also designed to be respectful of the surroundings and prevent any disturbance to wildlife.
Lighthouse area | Augsburg
Recognition | Lighthouse area
Augsburg
In collaboration with REICHER HAASE ASSOZIIERTE
Green and open spaces
Starting from the protected green strip along the Lech, they extend the tree structures far into the neighbourhood and thus connect the urban and green spaces with each other. Green corridors will be created between the buildings in an east-west direction, drawing the greenery right up to Berliner Allee and thus extending the green space from the Lech not only into the neighbourhood, but also into the city. This will also have a positive effect on the warming of the city in summer, as the corridors will transport fresh, cool air from the river.
In order to design the corridor as effectively as possible, the centre will be kept clear, but the tree positions will become denser towards the edges so that the adjacent facades do not heat up and this warm air would reduce the positive effect.
In the green corridor along the Lech, an additional footpath will be created so that cycle and pedestrian traffic do not share the same path. Along the walkway, there are always small places that invite you to linger by the water or in the green strip. Table tennis tables and calisthenics complete the leisure programme here. In the summer months, a bathing area can also be created by the water.
Public green spaces
The green corridors that run through the neighbourhood from east to west form the public green spaces. Play and sports facilities are created in the open centre. Benches invite people to linger and meet. A central path connects the neighbourhood with the open space on the Lech.
Private green spaces
Within the residential neighbourhoods, courtyards are being created in which private green spaces are located directly next to the buildings, separated from the communal garden by shrubs and hedges. In the communal areas, there are opportunities for communal gardening, playing and spending time outdoors.
Squares and streetscapes
The boulevard, which runs through the entire neighbourhood, connects all areas with each other and represents the inner development axis. The space is flanked on both sides by green spaces that extend from the buildings into the boulevard to varying degrees. This gives the entire space a green appearance. The carriageway meanders through these green spaces.
The four neighbourhood squares lined up along the boulevard have different functions. Osramplatz forms the prelude to the neighbourhood. This is an urban square with cafés, benches and open spaces for markets and events. In the evening, the planted areas here shine in a special light and form circles on the ground. Further south is the smaller Ledvance neighbourhood square. Neighbourhood get-togethers take place here. LED panels in the ground shine here when the square is in use. Wolframplatz will have a special highlight. An illuminated wire spans between the existing trees, creating a special atmosphere in the evening hours. Another square is being created between the workshops in the north. Here, craftsmanship takes centre stage. Small exhibitions and markets will be held here.
Trees and plants
All existing trees in the neighbourhood will be preserved in order to use the quality of the already established trees. The existing trees will be supplemented by planting climatic trees. These are characterised by the fact that they can cope with extreme rainfall and waterlogged soils, but also with longer periods of drought. To avoid having to replace the soil for each tree planting, the site is partially backfilled with the existing material. This gives the trees sufficient root space without having to completely remove the old backfill. When selecting the plants, attention is paid to shallow-rooted species. A species-rich planting of shrubs in front of the residential buildings offers both protection for residents and a habitat for many bird and insect species. The green axes are accompanied at the edges by plantings of shrubs and grasses, which require little maintenance due to their lush and dense growth.
Resilient perennials and grasses are planted within the infiltration troughs, which recover quickly even after long periods under water and also survive longer dry periods well.
Rainwater management
In order to create a sustainable neighbourhood, it is primarily important to unseal the surfaces as extensively as possible. This can create a natural climate with infiltration and evaporation directly on site. However, due to the pollution of the soil in the neighbourhood, this is associated with high costs. The design envisages directing rainwater from the neighbourhood into the designated troughs, where the water can collect and seep away. In these areas, the soil is replaced down to below the layers of backfill so that the rainwater can seep unhindered to the groundwater. In order to channel the rainwater into these troughs, the rest of the site will be partially raised.
Raingardens will be created in front of the buildings facing Berliner Allee. The rainwater from the footpaths and cycle paths and the excess rainwater from the roof areas will be channelled into these areas. Thanks to the revitalised soil layers, the cleaned water can seep into the groundwater or evaporate again on the surface. In the event of heavy rainfall, the trough formation allows water to accumulate and gradually seep away.
The roofs are greened and designed as low retention roofs. This means that rainwater can be retained on the roofs and is available for plants and evaporation.
Local Supply | Göttingen
2. Prize | Local Supply
Göttingen
In collaboration with pape+pape architekten
The open space concept of the new local shopping centre is defined by generous open and green spaces, which lead to a transformation of the place in which the car is no longer in the foreground.
The spatially sophisticated building design integrates further green spaces into the building itself. The inner courtyards on the first floor take numerous other opportunities out of the buildings to make the centre even greener.
The forecourt opens up the local shopping centre to the neighbourhood and develops into a public square for everyone. The significant reduction in paved areas allows water to seep away more easily and fits in with the sponge city concept.
The preservation of the existing trees and the planting of additional deciduous trees and fruit trees are particularly important for this, but the use of grass paving for the car parks also contributes to this. The remaining paved areas will be fitted with light-coloured concrete block paving.
Numerous seating and recreational areas will also be integrated, which can be found at the café in the north or at the neighbourhood square.
The roof garden and inner courtyards also create a special place to relax and meet with seating and vegetation.
In addition to car parking spaces, particular emphasis is placed on a large number of bicycle parking spaces. Bicycles can be parked at various locations; cargo bikes and e-bikes of all kinds can also be charged and parked, making the local shopping centre modern and inviting. This is supported by parking spaces for car sharing, micro and light vehicles and areas for mixed use.
The daycare centre’s raised garden, which is located on the first floor and protected by wide shrubbery, is particularly noteworthy. In addition to play hills and play elements, there are also other deciduous and fruit trees here, which, in combination with beds in the raised garden and inner courtyard, invite children to plant and eat their own food.
Eugen-Bolz-Secondary School | Rottenburg
Recognition | Eugen-Bolz-Secondary School
Rottenburg
In collaboration with Atelier 30
The existing school area is implemented in a structurally heterogeneous environment.
The new heart of the school landscape is located in the forum of the new building. The central space, which includes a gallery, offers many possibilities for use by the school community.
The future traffic development consists of a successful mix of motorised private and public transport, as well as cycling and pedestrian traffic. With the exception of a few barrier-free parking spaces, cars are parked outside the school area and the existing school grounds are implemented in a structurally heterogeneous environment.
The urban positioning of the buildings on Eberhardstrasse is orientated towards the important footpath connection in the direction of the public transport stops, and opens up the schoolyard in a meaningful way, which, as in the existing building, connects to the footpath in the direction of Sophienstrasse in the north (barrier-free access via a ramp) and opens up towards Mechthildstrasse.
The sections of the open spaces correspond closely to the new school building. The forecourt, which opens onto the street, leads directly into the “heart” of the school campus, the central courtyard between the old and new buildings. The fact that a large part of the courtyard is underpinned by a bunker requires raised planting beds for the necessary tree planting. Chill and learning decks alternating with seating steps turn the resulting raised beds into meeting places during breaks and free periods. The cubature of the raised beds is orientated towards the building structures and creates flowing, semi-open spaces that allow individual occupation of the courtyard while maintaining the necessary clarity. A partially covered area for learning and working at group tables and benches is provided in the northern part of the courtyard, somewhat separated from the break area.
The large playground offers sufficient space for exercise, especially for the younger age groups. The existing exercise facilities to the west of the gymnasium will be supplemented by additional facilities such as calisthenics equipment and parcours elements.
In addition to the requirements of the exercise and learning landscape, the open spaces also fulfil fundamental functions of resilient and sustainable area development. These include a maximum of structurally rich vegetation areas, water-permeable surface paving and rainwater management as a circulation system. All roof surfaces of the school buildings are intensively greened – an approx. 20-30 cm thick layer of substrate stores the rainwater and makes it available to the plants. Where possible, rainwater from the paved areas is channelled into the drainage and storage layer of the raised tree beds and also collected in cisterns for the use of service water.
Hilgenfeld | Frankfurt
3. Prize | Hilgenfeld
Frankfurt
In collaboration with dirschl.federle architekten
‘Living with green loggias’ is the leitmotif of our design. The green spaces of the Hilgenfeld connect the neighbourhood and integrate the loggias of the flats.
Building B3.2 with commercial and residential units responds to the square in front of it. It forms a head situation at the corner of the square, in which a publicly accessible use with an effect on the square was to be accommodated.
The public open spaces, which are spread across the entire neighbourhood, offer the opportunity to create a green connection between the individual residential areas. This creates an important cross-connection with isolated widenings and squares that increase the proportion of greenery and offer additional recreational areas and meeting points.
Green spaces
Green spaces, in particular areas with trees, have a positive effect.
Fine dust reduction, pollution control, shade and a cooling effect are the measurable values. But spending time under a tree canopy, sitting in a meadow, gardening together, the aesthetic effect, the pleasant odours of flowers and fruit are just as perceptible as they are beneficial.
When selecting trees and shrubs, care should be taken to ensure that they are not sensitive to the changing conditions caused by extreme summer temperatures, periods of drought, heavy rainfall etc. at the site. Open tree discs and the planting of trees and tree trenches underneath lead to a significant reduction in surface runoff, while at the same time increasing infiltration and evaporation values.
Nourishing shrubs and nesting and breeding opportunities are provided for “green diversity” within the planting areas. When selecting the trees and shrubs, climatic trees will be excluded. Special trees such as the hop hornbeam and the bluebell tree are planted in the squares. In this way, the areas differ from one another and always offer different highlights throughout the year. The flowering and fruiting of the trees is also taken into account in order to provide food for insects and birds. The habitus of the trees is chosen so that they create a large shaded area, especially in the traffic areas.
Rainwater
In the spirit of the sponge city concept, the aim is to keep as much rainwater as possible on site, allow it to seep away and/or evaporate and thus positively change the climate in the neighbourhood in the long term. Where possible, rainwater is therefore drained away via the green spaces. In addition, the lowered square areas provide retention volume for heavy rainfall events. Only excess water is released into infiltration channels. The increased number of trees planted is a key factor. The trees provide shade in the summer months and thus sustainably reduce heating, they absorb rainwater and release some of it again through evaporation.
Spaces and uses
With their elongated shape, the two squares P 2 and P 3 form the southern end of two sub-areas in the new neighbourhood. These public communal areas are intended to be understood and used as green transitional and connecting spaces: direct access from the neighbouring areas to the north means that neighbourly life and play are offered here in the immediate vicinity of the living space, and these green spaces also connect the sections of the neighbourhood with each other in an east-west direction. The lush green setting creates a protected space that nevertheless remains open and inviting. Accessible via ramps and steps, the recessed areas offer space for play and sports as well as various places to spend time. Due to its slightly lowered position, the square is an important component of the rainwater concept. In the event of heavy rainfall, the rainwater can be temporarily stored so that it can then evaporate and seep away over unsealed surfaces. Squares P 4 and P 5 will be designed in the same way. Here, too, intensively planted areas will be created with play and recreational facilities. In area P 4, the paved area for the fire brigade will be reduced to the essentials; necessary traffic areas and planted areas will interlock and form soft transitions.
The neighbourhood is invited to meet here on the long benches in the shade under the trees. The small square P 5 forms an island within the necessary turning loop. As very little traffic is expected here, the entire street space can be designed as a square. The inner area forms the green centre. Hedges create a retreat here and large trees provide the necessary shade for the paved areas. Retention areas are also generated here
Rainwater is collected in the recessed areas of the squares and seeps away or evaporates. Integrated or neighbouring plants are selected with a view to tolerating longer dry periods and temporary water accumulation.
Cornflower Square forms the heart of the neighbourhood. Commercial areas and cafés are located here, giving the square a special significance as a place to spend time. The central idea of bringing plenty of greenery into the neighbourhood is also continued here. The green spaces extend across the square and at the same time form a frame towards the street. The areas planted intensively with shrubs and grasses are supplemented by infiltration troughs at the edges. The centre of the square is deliberately kept open to provide space for events such as flea markets. Small drinking fountains offer the opportunity for refreshment and play. 2 cafés line the edges of the square.
Busso-Peus Street | Münster
Recognition | Busso-Peus Street
Münster
Concept ❘ A centre, a network full of character, a ring path and the existing, extended vegetation form the basis of the concept for Münster Model Quarter 2. This “nature hybrid” is intended to be an international demonstration project for how sustainable housing and university construction can be combined with intensive reforestation, increased biodiversity and circular resource thinking in a suburban and peri-urban area. Dense and socially networked neighbourhoods are created. What is important is an urban structure in the centre that provokes education, exchange and community and expands along the “avenues”.
The urban-natural landscape ❘ The city and the university merge into a dense sub-centre. The existing vegetation becomes the starting point for a park – for an urban-natural landscape. The urban development project is intended to become a laboratory for the development of a close symbiosis of living and working environments in areas close to the city and help the city of Münster to realise its ambitious nature and climate protection goals. The overlapping of uses will enable a new urbanity on the outskirts of the city. A centre and structural density, consistent networking with the surroundings, the strong framework of tree structures and a mule track through the intensive natural garden are the basis of our concept for Model Quarter 2 in Münster.
Open space concept ❘ A central square forms the heart of the new neighbourhood – a forum. This is where the opportunities for exchange, learning and research are concentrated. Open courtyard communities that form around the central square merge into the landscape. Their informal design allows for diverse appropriation and is characterised by the “open” green surfaces.
The neighbourhood is also surrounded by an open landscape area with meadows for play and sport and additional space for animal enclosures and the learning garden.
A flowering perennial field with a walking path and jogging track surrounds the Allende. This serves as a break and after-work diversion and connects the individual courtyard communities.
Existing rows of trees of the natural monuments remain untouched, are supplemented and form a spatial setting. The Appelbreistiege will be crossed carefully and with narrow bridges over the existing ditches. This crossing is kept to a minimum and is designated exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.
The green corridor along the Kinderbach stream in the north of the site will be brought right up to the central square of the new neighbourhood. This will provide the existing courtyard complex and even smaller individual buildings in the neighbourhood with a lush green environment.
Path and traffic concept ❘ Star-shaped avenues open up the site. They connect to the existing network of paths and meet in the centre of the site. They connect the new district with neighbouring areas such as the research campus, Münster’s city centre and the centre of Gievenbeck. The most important connection is the route from the city centre via the research campus to the centre of the new quarter. The junction with Busso-Peus-Straße is emphasised by a circle of trees and the new buildings on the west side form a gateway to the new quarter. Of the total of five access roads, four are intended exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists. Each street is lined with green spaces and framed by the buildings.
Coming from the north, from Gievenbecker Weg, motorised traffic will be routed to the central square under the underground car park. Delivery, emergency and refuse vehicles can drive through the neighbourhood on a ring road. The courtyard communities can be delivered via the gravelled lawn areas.
Drainage concept ❘ The design follows the principle of the “sponge city” with the components of evaporation, storage and infiltration of rainwater. If the surface materials allow a low level of evaporation or infiltration, the rainwater that accumulates on the open spaces is channelled to troughs and deep beds via suitably designed open ditches or via cross-slopes created on the paths and squares. These are designed for a high evaporation capacity through appropriate planting, in some cases with trees, and are designed in such a way that they also improve the quality of stay and the microclimate.
In addition, retention areas are used for the temporary storage of rainwater for delayed reuse. Part of this is utilised for water storage and groundwater recharge via infiltration trench systems, tree-riogole systems and additional underground systems.
Brunnenquartier | Karben
Recognition | Brunnenquartier
Karben
Open space concept ❘ The Brunnenquartier in Karben will be a future-oriented residential neighbourhood characterised by its blue-green infrastructure. One key component is the green corridor, with areas of park to the north and east. This interconnects with the neighbourhood in the form of green fingers of varying widths and lengths, and so offers an open space of enhanced quality and easy accessibility. For the neighbourhood itself, in terms of its proximity to Frankfurt and a direct connection to rail transport, there is great potential for development.
Neighbourhood squares and green corridors I The green corridors both frame and run through the neighbourhood, with curved paths linking up the key locations in a natural way. The paths are flanked by similarly curved retention basins that widen several times along the way to form wetlands. The concept envisages that not only the rainwater that accumulates in the park is collected, seeps away and evaporates here, but rainwater from all the surrounding residential neighbourhoods too. This will create watercourses and extensive areas of water after heavy rainfall, which, in addition to being ecologically beneficial, will also encourage visitors to play and linger. During periods of normal rainfall, only a few puddles form within these troughs; during longer periods of drought, they lack water altogether, resulting in a constant flux from wet to dry hollows. The selection of resilient plants emphasises precisely these characteristics. Even in dry hollows, the planting also indicates the presence of moist areas. In addition to these deliberately shaped depressions, other areas, such as those devoted to sports, are slightly deepened, so they too can function as retention areas in the event of heavy rainfall. While the green corridors are designed to be more open and flexible in their use, the central park area will become a heavily used neighbourhood park. There are numerous opportunities for getting together here. These include, close to the proposed child day-care centre, a large playground with equipment and a climbing frame made of certified, durable wood.
Neighbourhood squares ❘ The first section of the neighbourhood park is formed by a small neighbourhood square to the west, which serves as a meeting spot. Here, large trees provide shade and benches offer places to sit down and relax. Bicycle racks are located on the perimeter. The entire square consists of a barrier-free water-permeable path that links directly into the paths through the green corridors. The southern square is a lively outdoor area where shops and cafés are located, inviting people to linger on the square. Here too, generous planted areas provide areas where rainwater can collect, seep away and evaporate. Paved areas are to be minimised in favour of creating large green spaces. Trees in the green landscaped areas also serve to shade the paved areas and prevent them from heating up in summer, creating a pleasant microclimate.
Materials and planting ❘ In selecting materials, emphasis has been placed on the responsible use of resources. Great importance is attached to ensuring short supply routes, using local materials and CO2-neutral forms of production. The amount of paved areas is deliberately kept to a minimum. Curved paths through the park have a water-permeable surface, whereby the top layer is strewn with a local gravel mix. The generously dimensioned path through the park will be divided into two areas. A barrier-free 1.5-metre-wide strip will be paved and offer a circular path to serve the needs of skaters, bobby cars and scooters for example. The remaining strip of 2.5 metres will be resurfaced as a water-permeable path. The park’s planting scheme will be intentionally varied, with more intensively planted areas alternating with open lawns and meadows. Towards the edges, vegetation is intensified. Not only do the various tree types stand closer together, they are also underplanted with shrubs. Animal habitats are provided for by nesting and nourishing shrubs. In selecting the plants, careful thought has been given to species diversity and sustainability, with a view to increasing biodiversity in the park.
Lighting concept ❘ The lighting is designed to enhance the night-time atmosphere and to ensure the safety of neighbouring residents. This will encourage people to use the green corridor during the evening hours too, and help create a feeling of security. To this end, energy-saving LED lights will be used, which not only protect the environment but also reduce operating costs. Park lighting is also designed to be respectful of the surroundings and prevent any disturbance to wildlife.
Kalkumer Schlossallee | Düsseldorf
3. Prize | Kalkumer Schlossallee
Düsseldorf
Landscape shapes the city
In collaboration with schneider+schumacher
The “Landschaft formt Stadt” concept envisages a nature-based and sustainable neighbourhood that takes into account the outstanding quality of the settlement area to be developed with its exposed location to the open landscape, its proximity to the Rhine and the historic old town of Kaiserswerth.
Urban and open space planning concept
The identity is characterised by the direct integration of the landscape and the mix of housing types. The green and open space extends from the Kalkumer Schloßallee railway station to the landscape (in the direction of Bach-Aue) and divides the urban figure into a multi-generational campus in the west and an educational campus in the south of the planning area. This creates a clearly defined edge to the town, formulating a visual reference to the open landscape. The shaping of the landscape space between the residential areas creates strong ventilation and greenery. Residents will be able to experience the space as a local recreation area. The overarching network of footpaths and cycle paths connects the open landscape with the surrounding neighbourhoods. The urban planning organisation defines interconnected building plots in the sense of an “urban village”, which provides for a diverse and flexible building structure for different forms of housing and architecture, and for several generations.
Transport/mobility concept
The area is characterised by excellent public transport connections. This is ensured by the railway station “Kalkumer Schlossallee” in the south-west and “Am Mühlenacker” in the north-west as well as a bus stop on Kalkumer Schlossallee. The concept envisages that only an efficient road connection between the neighbourhood in the south and Kalkumer Schlossallee is to be realised.
Open spaces
All squares and streets follow the principle of the sponge city with the highest possible proportion of unsealed surfaces. Where sealed areas are required, care is taken to use permeable surfaces wherever possible. In addition, the green areas are slightly recessed in order to retain rainwater and allow it to seep away and evaporate directly on site. This mix of green and paved areas also offers a wide variety of recreational and play areas. The entrance to the new neighbourhood is formed by a large square that connects the railway station, the school and the new residential area. Various meeting and recreational areas for young and old will be created here, structured by large green spaces. In the residential neighbourhood, the village green will create attractive public squares and play areas without traffic congestion. Semi-public residential courtyards and the private and communal green spaces assigned to the ground-floor flats will be created, resulting in communicative neighbourhoods. The northern end will have a small square with a play area as an entrance from the existing residential development. In addition to the obligatory climate resilience of the large trees, the choice of plants is orientated towards a flower-rich, near-natural appearance with high drought tolerance, which not only strengthens biodiversity but also offers varied flowering aspects throughout the year.Small climatic forests will be planted on the edges of the railway and school campus to act as a buffer to the buildings.All footpaths in the landscape area are loosely accompanied by fruit trees and link up with the surrounding network of paths – the landscape area thus retains its expanse.It is proposed to relocate the existing Lindenhof riding centre to the landscape area, as this will allow for future expansion and development.The sports and leisure areas, including the three extended tennis courts, are arranged in such a way as to create synergies with the utilisation of the open spaces.
