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König-Heinrich Platz Averdung Shows us All That Keeping it Simple is the Best Policy

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König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung, by Agence Ter, in Duisburg, Germany. In the heart of the city of Duisburg, Germany, lies a large, grassy, park space in front of the theater. The König-Heinrich square is a busy gathering place for the city’s residents, made even more popular by the addition of a shopping center, casino, and pedestrian street right next to Konigstraat. It became necessary to rethink this public space in light of the new uses, while maintaining its urban park appearance. Thus, the French landscape architecture firm Agence Ter proposed a project inspired by the existing green space, claiming that the development of a wide lawn would not be a hindrance in making the square a central site for the city. Instead, a simple lawn can provide a meeting place where everyone can settle as he wishes.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung

In addition, the Ter team noted that having a vast green expanse in the heart of a post-industrial city as dense as Duisburg is currently a luxury. Indeed, this space will preserve open space in the city and offer benefits to insects, small animals and, of course, human visitors. For all these reasons, it was important to preserve this green and open space. A Simple But Effective Design Agence Ter has created a project with a wide expanse of grass on which people can relax. The project consists of a game between the mineral, vegetation (which covers a large part of the site) and water jets that animate the central space. Some crocuses were planted in the lawn to color the grass in spring.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

The site isn’t just a swath of grass. To make the space more elegant, the team divided the space into five areas, each raised and lined with metal frames. They kept the same width of green space, but punched it up with varied forms interspersed asymmetrically along the length. These cuts allow people to cross the square’s width without crossing the lawn, although people are allowed to walk and sit on the grass.
König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

Custom Design Furniture The furniture also is notable. Along the curbs, benches seem to settle onto the grass. These banks are simply created from a curved, white plate that fits between the grass and the curb.
König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

These long benches are installed asymmetrically and only on the edges of the cross aisles in order not to break the harmony of the green islands. The furniture is discreet and comfortable. The Water Jets In the center of these green areas is a regular water jet fountain that lights up at night. These water jets are used to energize the space vertically.  The water jets give an extra dimension to the project by offering to little ones and older ones fun but also a way to cool off during hot weather because the only trees present are placed on the edge and therefore offer very little shade to visitors.
König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

  Being Careful Not to Clutter the Space The designers worked with simple forms and refined profiles throughout the project. They are also focused on the three main elements that make a landscape; stone, water and plants. And they did not clutter with exuberant furniture which consumes space since they have opted for recessed ground lights and benches integrating discreetly into space while remaining cozy and seeminglessly blending into the overall design.
König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

See More Articles Featuring Work from Agence Ter:

The redesign maintained the function of the earlier basic green space while adding new points of interest and improving function. This project shows us once again that sometimes the simple things are the most popular.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung.

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung. ©agenceter

Full Project Credits:  Landscape Architects: Agence Ter Client: City of Duisburg Budget: 3,5 M€ ex tax Area: 1.6 hectare All pictures: ©agenceter Show on Google Maps Recommended Reading:

Article by Alexandra Wilmet Return to Homepage

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