The task of the competition was to define the urban edge in the transition to the Glückstein district and at the same time to integrate the park in the urban context. The area already had an excellent open space quality due to its open meadows and the partly large-crowned groups of trees. It was necessary to seize this potential and develop a modern city park through open-space intervention. One challenge was to coherently integrate residential use into the park and, of course, to develop the architecture of mansions in harmony with the architecture of the park.
The “park triangle” of the Hanns-Glückstein-Park, characterized by large trees and lawns, serves as improvement of leisure, play and recreation areas in the surrounding urban spaces. An urban edge has been defined in the transition to the Glückstein district, which at the same time integrates the park in the urban context. To continue the urban character of the new Glückstein district, a residential development in the form of mansions was created, which forms a clear edge to the street and forms a clear “gateway to the park” through a window-like opening opposite the workshop building. The perspectives and visual relationships from the park to the historical ensemble of workshop building/engine shed and the building lines of the surrounding buildings determine the structural edges of the new architecture. Towards the street, the mansions present themselves as a unit, towards the park the structural presence is more selective and looser due to the tapering of the building edges. In the park, the polygonal geometry of the architecture and axis of vision are consistently continued in the form of paths, resulting in a significant open space design for the “park triangle”. Architecture and open space become one, the mansions become part of the park.
The topography was used to create different levels of privacy and publicity. The mansions are on the upper level with their immediate living environment. Towards the park, the area is graded over lawn terraces with seating edges. The terracing creates a subtle, psychological differentiation in the uses of open space: above the mansions with the open spaces near the buildings, on intermediate levels the semi-public transitional area and finally on the “existing level” the public park.
A square-like widening with a generous perron leads from the workshop building/engine shed ensemble to the park via a crossing on Glücksteinallee. At the foot of the lawn terraces, a seat wall accentuates the “interface” between the open spaces near the apartments and the public park. Lawns and groups of trees characterize the open character of the park. The big hill is a natural attraction for children and deliberately remains “undesigned” and therefore freely playable. A focal point in the southern tip of the “Park triangle” is the public playground with a climbing landscape and a wide range of games for children of different ages. The tree-lined lawns offer sufficient space for play and movement for the users of the park.
All trees worth preserving were integrated into the design. The existing vegetation was supplemented by multi-stem trees, park trees and extensive perennial plantings. The park has received more unsealed area and has become greener because of the redesign. The air is locally improved through dust filtration, evaporation, and oxygen production. The shading of the street trees counteracts the heating of the street space.
The new paths through the park can be used all year round and are barrier-free. The park is equipped with modern, partly self-designed furniture. The high livability invites all age groups to linger.
The tree-lined lawns offer sufficient space for play and movement for the users of the park. The playground at the top of the park triangle attracts children of all ages with a climbing landscape, a variety of games and a sandy area. There is also a carousel that can also be used with a wheelchair.
The entire park is designed to be robust and low maintenance.
Project location:
Windeckstraße 35-37
68163 Mannheim
Deutschland
Design year:
2014
Year Built:
2014-06/2018
Project description:
