The idea has been to clarify the feeling of the center and the experience of Horsens as a vital and vibrant commercial town. The center of Horsens is enriched with a very beautiful and varied building culture without significant scars. Each neighborhood in the city has its own unique values that have been maintained over the years.
For these reasons, at the heart of the proposal, the focus is on the existing atmosphere and on strengthening the city center as the historic center.
The paving materials have been chosen with the intention that the city as a whole should appear coherent, as a strong, culture-bearing destination – instead of making the street appear new or significant to the detriment of the unique identity of the city. Therefore, there is a minimal use of new geometries and exotic stone types in the area.
The approach has been to work with Søndergade as the ‘living room’ of the city center – transforming it from a ‘pedestrian street ‘(gågade) to a ‘street of being'(væregade). The city center connection becomes the central string through Horsens, creating experience-rich pedestrian street connecting two important squares – Vitus Berings Plads and Kirkepladsen/Torvet.
Above all, the project concentrates the qualities of the city, creating a green arrival (Jessensgade) – an intense and atmospheric street (Søndergade) – and a dramatic new square by the church (Torvet).
Jessensgade is given a stronger role in the cityscape and the transition between the arrival point of Horsens, Vitus Berings Plads and the historical center: Jessensgade is now experienced as an open, calm, and green welcome to the pedestrian area.
The project creates a homogeneous city center around Søndergade, which is atmospherically condensed with dynamic, yet peaceful, lighting that creates a sense of security and a discreet vibrant atmosphere that is linked to the historic city. The course is designed with well-defined spaces that continuously alternate between engaging the visitors and providing space for the city’s many concerts and unprogrammed stays.
Curiosity is stimulated by micro-activity environments that are harmoniously integrated into the architecture of the street and by linking the story of Vitus Bering to the flow of the city.
Based on the basic atmosphere of the market town environment, Schul Landscape Architects have designed unique furniture and activity zones that connect the station and the medieval town. At the same time, a large climate-proofing project has been incorporated into the square, integrating, and linking to the future plans for climate protection of the inner city along the harbor area and Åboulevarden.
The pedestrian area has become a green connection through the planting of several hundred new trees; the city has become greener and thus created a better urban climate and good living spaces with seasonal variation.
Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape: Okra Landschapsarchitecten
Location: Jessensgade, Søndergade, Torvet 8700 Horsens bDenmark
Design year: 2018-2021
Year Completed: 2022
