The design of the new square in front of the German Lock and Fittings Museum in Velbert creates a prestigious outdoor space that creatively links up the surroundings of the authentically restored Villa Hemminghaus and the modern extension of 2021. The result is a unique, special and multifunctional urban space that is a hybrid of a clearly laid-out modern square and a charming garden – a stage for festivals, educational events and presentations, as well as a meeting point and quiet retreat.
An almost floating steel walkway that is illuminated at night runs diagonally through the garden, forming a connective element between the garden, square, and museum entrance. The walkway serves both as a seating area and also as an entrance to the museum, with visitors walking through the garden suspended above the roots of the old trees.
The garden is broken up with orthogonal, insect-friendly herbaceous borders and lawn paths. The large-crowned plane trees have been retained and frame the space, and the garden also features a retention tank to catch heavy rainfall.
The surrounding pavements form part of the garden, while the parking strip has been transformed into a perennial bed, so pedestrians are already in the museum garden as they walk their everyday routes.
The museum square forms a connective, diverse urban space for Velbert’s locals and their guests.
Design: Planungsbüro DTP Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH
Client: Town of Velbert, Real Estate Service
Project location: Germany, Velbert
Planning and realisation: 2018-2022
Photos: Nikolai Benner
Designers: DTP /
