A24 Landschaft: The State Horticultural Show Landau 2015 represents a model conversion project encompassing more than 27 hectares of land and a budget of 13 million Euros. The landscape architecture will incorporate the unique features of the Vorderpfalz region, thus forging a close association with the location. It will provide a framework for the future development of a new residential quarter as well as a sport and recreation campus on the grounds of the former military facilities there. A landscape axis proceeds from the urban area into the landscape, linking it to the Ebenberg Nature Reserve that borders the grounds of the State Horticultural Show. All measures address the successful integration of nature conservation concerns and recreational uses into an overall design concept.
The enduring “green scaffolding” for the development already provides an attractive residential environment, which harmonizes the mixture of listed barrack buildings and new housing constructions. In the center of the new district lies a sizable neighborhood park, at the heart of which is a pool of water with lush vegetation planted within. The design of the park is inspired by the tectonic upheaval characteristic of the Upper Rhine’s rift valley: the raw edges, rupturing and layering of the stone are reflected in the aesthetic of the open-air facilities.
The sport and recreation campus, which garners city-wide appeal, lies on the grounds of the former coal yard. The offering of “classic” play and sporting areas is capped off by large expanses for the practice of various trend sports. The structure of the remaining, unused railway facilities – with their natural overgrowth of vegetation worthy of retaining – creates the framework for this design segment. Its utilization is mindful of ecological considerations and is carefully integrated into the fold.
The landscape axis bridges the urban residential space, the areas for recreational activities and the nature reserve. It begins at the newly configured square in front of the barracks gate, proceeds along the neighborhood park and the intensively designed areas of the horticultural show and continues through the permanently arranged “Southern Palatinate Gardens”, which echo the succession from cultural landscape to the Palatinate Forest. The axis culminates in an observation tower at the border to the FFH-Habitat Ebenberg, which provides a terrific view of the city, the converted barracks and the nature reserve.
Landscape Architecture: A24 Landschaft GmbH
Project: Conversion Estienne-et-Foch Barrack
Authors: Steffan Robel
Location: Landau, Germany
Design and construction period: 2011-2015
Area: 27 ha
Construction costs: 13 million Euros
Client: Landesgartenschau Landau 2015 gGmbH
Image credits: Hanns Joosten
Text: A24 Landschaft
Designers: A24 Landschaft /
