Redesign of Market Square

Bad Lauchstädt, Germany

Photo © Alexander Paul Brandes

Photo © Helge Mundt

Site plan

Visualization © WES LandscapeArchitecture

Photo © Helge Mundt

Site plan

Landscape Architects: WES LandscapeArchitecture

Location: Bad Lauchstädt, Germany
Year: 2014
Client: Sondervermögen Überseestadt c/o WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH
Project period: 2010-2014
Size: 19.400 m²
Awards: German Natural Stone Award, 2011 1st prize with H.H. Krafft | 2018 category landscaping and free space design , 1st prize
Realisation: WES LandscapeArchitecture with H.H. Krafft

The role and importance of the town Bad Lauchstädt is characterized by a striking quality of urban planning and the fact that many of the historic streets and buildings are landmark monuments. Set by the river Laucha, the castle, parish church, town hall, as well as the theatre influenced by Goethe, rise up out of an ensemble of impressive houses for the former upper classes, creating a fascinating interplay with the spa gardens and the narrow streets and alleyways. Simplicity and clarity, together with generously-sized, high-quality architecture, can be found here.

The design proposal for the renovation of the square and the surrounding area sensitively incorporates the character of the town by interpreting the historic, urban planning ensemble in a contemporary way, unobtrusively adding just a few new elements. The market square has homogenous, warm and light-coloured natural stone paving and in some parts the original paving has been used. It becomes an open, broad stage, which appears to enlarge the square and at the same time hold the ensemble of the historic city centre together. The simplicity and unobtrusiveness of individual features such as the striking eaves made of natural stone slabs that frame the free-standing buildings, or a simple, vertical column of water emphasize the high quality of this valuable, cultural urban planning asset.