A disused engine shed, Eventzentrum Lokschuppen (Event Space Old Engine Shed) in Dillingen/Saar was transformed in 2008 into a popular event space, while the vicinity is at the same time being used and maintained by local social facilities. 

The site of the former turntable forms the core of a new urban field, with the engine shed in its centre. The public space design puts into scene this central element. The dimensions of the former turntable are outlined using different types of paving slabs and stones and corten steel sheets. This generous space is open to a large number of possible uses – for outside seating or catering from the restaurant, for open air concerts or markets and fairs, for just meeting up or playing. The former rail-tracks are also marked on the ground. Seating steps follow the former radius, and grass moulds, together with a lawn and trees, cushion off the seating area from the adjacent parking lot. Materials such as road stone, corten steel and wire racks were chosen in line with the historic use.

The design also adheres to multifaceted functional aspects, such as accessibility, also for people with special needs, parking facilities, robustness of materials and features, and the concerns and requirements of the neighbouring occupancies, which are part private, part commercial. The urban scheme is designed to be adaptive to future developments.

Website: SINAI

Urban Design Scheme: Machleidt und Partner, Berlin

Roads and Drainage planning: Ingenieurbüro Schwarz GmbH, Saarbrücken

Design year: 2009

Year Built: 2017

Photographer: Nikolai Benner