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Aqua Magica Park: The Dark Magic of Ephemeral Experience in Landscape Architecture

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Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects, Between Bad Oeynhausen and Löhn, Germany. There is a distinct style of expression in the art of landscape architecture that refers to our sensory perception. These are the so-called ephemeral means. Despite their transient character, the presence of ephemeral means in parks and gardens is essential for the successful formation of realistic natural surroundings. Light, shadow, sound, scent, and fauna in the park are among the many vehicles used to achieve the most significant purpose of our art – the establishment of a connection between humans and nature.

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

An excellent example displaying the expedient use of such means of expression is the Aqua Magica project, designed by Agence Ter Landscape Architects. The project won an international competition for the design and staging of the Regional Garden Show 2000, launched by the spa towns of Bad Oeynhausen and Löhne, Germany. The award-winning design is a combination of two dimensions covering the creation of public spaces and the setting of event equipment. The design concept offers both ephemeral gardens and bases for demonstrations, and is based on the underlying theme of water, which is one of the recurrent themes in the agency’s projects.
Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Water as a focal point at Aqua Magica Park

The idea of water as an underlying theme was born in the ideas competition for the show. The team, led by the French landscape architect Henri Bava, came up with an unusual idea, which didn’t stay just on the surface of the site. They went down into the depths of Löhne and Bad Oeynhause and discovered healing water and geological structures, which before long were brought out to the surface. Thus, the team designed and created a water crater as an “intervention point” at which visitors would have the opportunity to be a part of a magical underworld and experience something different.

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Regional rebirth at Aqua Magica Park To fulfill this purpose, they had to make the healing salt water spring a unique and distinctive treasure, visible and tangible for the whole region. In this way, a forgotten spa region was revitalized, due to the new life breathed by Aqua Magica. And through the understanding that water is an emotional experience, designers decided to make the water crater an accessible, underground fountain sculpture, dwelt by the miracle of magic water. Related Articles:

Aqua Magica Park: A journey to the underworld

The journey to the underworld begins with a spiral pathway, which is the backbone of the park. The avenue is designed to highlight the subterranean fault lines of the landscape and to give visitors a free view of the whole scenery. It leads to a staircase winding 18 meters down to the bottom of the fountain. Wire baskets with boulders (gabions) support the cut-rock walls, while water falls right at the source, into the ground. While slowly approaching the crater, the mystic atmosphere draws you through its spell. Simmer. Hiss. Then stillness. This is how you sense the immense might of water. Going deeper and deeper, sounds grow louder, light gets weaker, and water comes closer. And there you are – at the heart of the crater. Suddenly, vapor surrounds you. The hissing gets louder again. Water suddenly springs with all the pressure of the earth’s core! All you can do at that moment is hold your breath and contemplate. For in this particular moment, you actually feel the water.

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Sensory perception in the different elements of Aqua Magica Park That’s how the ephemeral means work. Water and sound, water and light — or the absence of them — all contribute to that unique experience. In addition to the water adventure, Aqua Magica Park offers other elements in  that evoke people’s sensory nature. The berry garden, full of berry bushes and edible plants, awakens your senses to the most beautiful everyday pleasures through smelling, tasting, eating, and feeling. Then there is the rose garden, inviting you in for a walk of fragrance among the graceful beauty of the red roses. The journey continues with a sculpture garden, symbolizing the renewal of the region; the Aqua Magica Café, attracting visitors to taste a wide variety of coffee extracts; and finishes with the water gardens, where mirror-like surfaces reflect the tranquility of water.
Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Photo Credit: Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects

Aqua Magica Park creates a strong imprint Having used all of those sense-triggers within the park, the designers have successfully created a place that has its own distinctive character. And besides being distinctive, Aqua Magica Park is certainly going to be remembered. It will leave a strong memory of the experience in each visitor, because of all the senses unlocked in them through their moments in the park. After all, isn’t that the virtue of landscape architecture — to help people feel nature, and then to celebrate that feeling? Recommended Reading:

Article written by Velislava Valcheva Return to Homepage

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