In the autumn of 2016, 02landskap were commissioned to coordinate a design dialogue and create a proposal for the square “Brunnsparken” in close cooperation with the municipality of Varberg. The process included 3 workshops with an invited reference group of residents, actors, property owners, representatives of different interest groups and officials from the municipality. Based on the results from each workshop 02landskap produced sketches as well as documented and analyzed the results. Based on the valuable outputs of the dialogue, 02landskap produced a design proposal which was further developed and project planned during the spring of 2017. The construction of the project was finalized in 2018.
Location in the city
Brunnsparken in Varberg is a culturally intricate place in the center of the city. The site has the character of a combined park and square and links the large main city square “Stora Torget” in the east with the romantic English park in the west.
Movement patterns and sight lines have been analyzed to play a major role in the design, which consists of several vegetation areas. The design emphasizes the link between the church and the harbor and the visual connection between them. The aim is that Brunnsparken will function as strolling path, a place for social meetings as well as accommodate small arrangements in the form of festivals and performances.
Movement patterns on the square
The design is based on the idea of creating a collective room, with a uniform floor that runs from facade to facade in north-south direction. Existing steps have been removed and instead the slope has been distributed more evenly over the site to facilitate mobility and improve connectivity. To the east, the site opens up towards the church and the main pedestrian street Kungsgatan which leads to Stora Torget. In the West, the place ends with a long staircase.
Smooth disability adapted paving and lighting is concentrated along a diagonal ax over the square, based on the most active movement path. In front of the church, the smooth paving is widened and turn into a gathering place for events. The sculptor Knutte Wester has produced one fountain with potable water and two other connected sculptures, placed in the east part of the square.
Details
Benches and planting beds are located according to movement patterns across the park square. The color scheme of the backrest of the benches has been inspired by the nearby church’s copper roof. The benches give a smooth impression and create multiple seating options and various uses through well-sized lengths and different depths on the seating surfaces. The backrests slightly tilt backwards for comfort and the armrests make the bench available to everyone. The bench has different heights because of the slanted ground level. This gives a natural variation and makes the benches suited for people of different height or age. In the project, great emphasis has been placed on choosing sustainable materials to create a site that can withstand the weathering over time. For the benches robust oak, treated with Sioo, has been selected combined with steel in the backrests. A wider bench area with no backrest adjacent to the church becomes a place for relaxation, hanging out and small events such as speeches, dance or other performances.
An important part of the project has been to create both functional and effective lighting that creates a safe and beautiful place. The lighting reinforces the spatiality and the design and consists of spot lighting on posts and an additional lighting on the facade. The shape of the custom designed benches is also enhanced by a hidden lighting strip under the seat.
The ground material of Brunnsparken consists of granite stones which have been partly recycled from the site. Bright and flamed pavers surrounded by a dark edge of Varberg-granite create a smooth and accessible path across the square. The pavers spread out in the eastern part in front of the church and creates a larger area that connects to Kungsgatan and the main square. The rest of the floor consists of recycled small stone in a simple pattern that creates a common floor from facade to facade.
Vegetation
The vegetation beds protect the existing conserved trees on the square, their shape is based on movement patterns on the site. The raised planting surfaces also create a strengthened spaciousness and orientation in the urban space. The plantings consist of a base of ground covers and solitary perennials. These form larger fields, smaller groups and garlands. The plant choices have been carefully selected to create a seasonal variation. The color range of the perennials is inspired by adjacent buildings. The vegetation surfaces are easy to maintain, regarded plant choices and irrigation. The raised planters areas also function as protection for the plants, preventing people to walk over them. The material consists of durable black steel.
Furniture constructor: Nola AB, Artist: Knutte Wester
Project location: Brunnsparken, Kyrkogatan, 432 41 Varberg, Sweden
Design year: 2016-2018
Year Built: 2018
Client: Municipality of Varberg
