Kalkar Market

Kalkar, Germany

Photo © Markus Gnüchtel

Plazas

Landscape Architects: GTL - Michael Triebswetter Landschaftsarchitekt

Location: Markt, 47546 Kalkar, Germany
Year: 2011

The thriving periphery is the heart of the Kalkar Market; thus, it is the focus of the new design. The existing trees are replaced by box-shaped lime trees (Tilia platyphyllos) which frame the marketplace in a noble green tone without hindering the view of the existing buildings. The plantings at the base of the court lime trees have been replaced with dense low ornamental shrubs to maintain a finer, more attractive image.

Blue basalt tiles in large format lend the gastronomic services at the north end of the market ground an air of nobility and an improved walking surface. Wooden decks as terrace flooring can be used by gastronomic services with outdoor seating to facilitate concentrated spatial organization. These can be a permanent feature of temporary nature by being demountable, and can also be used as outdoor stages.

In the manner of corporate identity, the choice of a unified material and color theme with a modern vocabulary presents the historical center of Kalkar with signature legibility and identity.

Similarly, the vocabulary of the material and objects represent the space in front of the city museum. The importance of the city museum building is refined by the stately presence of box-shaped lime trees in this area. Generously sized street furniture add character and an atmosphere of ease and leisure to the square.