by Christian Hahn on May 9, 2012
Next to renowned offices such as WES&Partner, LATZ + PARTNERS, Levin/ Monsingny, and Schegk, Stijlgroep landscape and urban design has participated in the competition for the Main Market and Fruit Market (Haupt- und Obstmarkt) Nuremberg.
The municipality of Nuremberg announced this competition in order to transform both market squares into one entity that matches the nowadays demands.
Our concept is based on four principles:
- the Main Market is the “living room” of the historical district St. Sebald
- the Main Market is the hinge between the city centre (main shopping street) and the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
- both markets are part of one entity with the church (Frauenkirche) as hinge between both markets
- a significant green structure will be introduced: pruned, formal trees versus informal tree clumps
The Main Market is spatial defined with a broad nature stone band which extends into a flight of steps in the south western corner. By this means the market becomes a stage of the urban life (such as the world known Christkindles Market). The “stage” itself appears as a carefully composed surface of different colour shades being defined by linear paving elements. Unique lighting poles are the spatial counterweight to the historical fountain (Schöner Brunnen).
A tapestry around the church accentuates it as hinge between both markets. The sequence of lines of the “stage” is continued and forming a surface with a hard and soft landscape side.
The second market is designed as a logical continuation of the main market. By transforming this infrastructural dominated area into a shared space, this market will be experienced again as public space/ square. The compact green structure accompanies the infrastructural flows and is been interrupted at the height of the church: Terraces are been located here creating a vibrant spot.
Being inspirde by the image of the Nuremberg Lebkuchen (gingerbread) the design off all furniture elements has been based on the ideas of dispersed almonds.
The appearance of the Main Market during night had been an important topic during the design process. Unique lighting elements are emphasising the “stage” during night: The huge light poles, throwing an alomost randmom light of small almonds, are accompanied with inground LED spots along the central ass towards the church. Last but not least lighting strips within the staircase accentuating the square at the south-western edge.
Click here to see the full presentation!
by Stijlgroep on May 4, 2012
Me and Stijlgroep
For almost one month now I’ve been working at Stijlgroep. As a trainee at Stijlgroep, one instantly becomes a part of the team, working on the same projects as, and having an ongoing dialogue with, the other team members. You are continuously challenged to redefine your boundaries. The rate of work is high, but the atmosphere is positive.
Because of my creative (rather than technical) background, my tasks generally consist of formulating concepts and strategies for specific areas, designing the public space on various scale levels, visualising projects and even making spatial scale models for official presentations.
The responsibility you get can be a heavy load to bear at first, but it quickly becomes a great motivation to give only your very best.
My view on Stijlgroep
Stijlgroep is globally orientated, I have already worked on projects set in countries such as Turkmenistan and also on various innovative projects in the Netherlands.
One of the most characteristic trademarks of Stijlgroep, which I find to be fascinating, is the fact that landscape really is leading in their projects. The strong general sense of context (place, time, social coherence, etc.) along with landscape as the overall supporting element define the outcome of the design, never is the ‘canvas’ empty to begin with.
What have I, among others, learned so far
Because of this, I have become increasingly aware that the role of the (landscape) architect is a very important one and shouldn’t be underestimated. For his products have a direct impact on the world where the people live in and thus on the people themselves. A flashy, modern design without a strong contextual aspect to it can never be a durable solution. In continuing my internship, I hope to learn a lot more about the field of architecture and my part in it.
by Peter van Bever on April 23, 2012
We are proud to announce that Plan Tide is in the competion for an award Suburbia Transformed 2.0 at the James Rose Center.
The James Rose Center, a non-profit landscape research and study foundation, is headquartered in Ridgewood, New Jersey at what was formerly the home of James Rose, built in 1953 for himself and family members. Before he died in 1991, Rose set in motion the establishment of the Center and created a foundation to support the transformation of his Ridgewood residence for this purpose.
The mission of the Center is to contribute to a more sustainable suburban condition through preservation, research and design. It provides and/or sponsors authoritative lectures, tours, classes, symposia, professional historical documentation, modern landscape preservation, consultation and research, student and professional awards programs and student internships.
We keep you updated at our Blog!
by Christian Hahn on April 19, 2012
We are delighted and honoured by the fact that- after numerous international publications during the last couple of months- LW magazine (South Korea) published in Volume 51 a special feature about Stijlgroep.
Enjoy reading and flicking through the volume!
A quite large selection of our most recent projects is showcased:
- from large landscape designs (Delta Psychiatric Centre) to proposals in the context of healing environment (Maasstad Hospital) and large urban planning projects for leisure and living environments.
- from projects in our near surrounding such as the Market or Westhaven-Square in Vlaardingen to projects far away such as the prestigious Hospitality in Rio de Janeneiro next to the Olympic plot won by AECOM.
Independent of size and subjects and location of every project, they have all one thing in common: our distinctive design attitude based on the three pillars:
AWARENESS of
… landscape as foundation
… the human factor
… the context and spatial setting
As a team of designers and technical advisors we can ensure through our holistic that the dreams of our clients become reality.
In LW magazine you are not only seeing a selection of our most inspiring projects, but the way we do design and think.
by Christian Hahn on April 12, 2012
Stijlgroep landscape and urban desing is one of the two finalists for the redesign for Turkmenbashi Avenue . This is the most important avenue of Ashgabat
connecting to Iran on the one hand and to the city centre on the other hand.
Inspired by the pride of Turkmenistan and it’s beautiful hand-woven tapestries, the long stretched park strip along Turkmenbashi Avenue will be woven into a whole integrity. The undulating landscape threads are combed by illuminated lines. Hence a colorful and impressive landscape tapestry will be created, marked with accents at the beginning and end. A ‘forest’ of light sticks with stars and the sickle, referring to the flag of Turkmenistan, is creating the starting point.
The tea house is emphasizing the end of the boulevard and invites people to rest. On the way to this pavilion there are three sculptural bridges, which are connecting the four parts of the park strip with each other. Water, the source of life, appears in several ways within the strip: from wild to calm, from water vapors to play elements.
Also during evening hours and night the experience of the park strip comes first. The distinctive manner and the various light colors of the public realm ensures a versatile experience.
We will keep you posted! As soon as we have the final result, we will let you know.
by Peter van Bever on April 6, 2012
City councillor Ulla Eurich has symbolically reach out the key of the last dwelling.
After we have started in 2005 with this project, already 6 years have passed before this project is almost finished. Together with Synchroon and Timpaan, Stijlgroep made the design for a development near the center of Aalsmeer, an area with plenty of water.
Dorpshaven offers a variety of different housing types that often have a private mooring for a boat. There are still some dwellings available.
As you can see… the plants still have to grow.
by Peter van Bever on March 23, 2012
From 5th of April till 9th of September 2012 there will be an exhibition featuring outstanding photographs of Rotterdam and its surroundings.
Stijlgroep landscape and urban design has set up this exhibition together with Photo Gallery Ben Wind. Next to the photographs made by Ben Wind unique projects of our office will be exposed.
With this exhibition Photo Gallery Ben Wind marks his first year existence with a wink to the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam 2012.
by Christian Hahn on March 19, 2012
Ever since the beginnings of human mankind, we have been interested in the future. Constantly human do ask themselves what might be tomorrow: what will their own life be in a couple of years, what will change. Numerous films pick up those existential questions and draw the most embellished pictures of the future.
And sure we, as landscape architects/ urban planners/ architects and most important visionaries do think about the future as well:
How will cities change? What are the urban structures and buildings of the future? How can we create sustainable environments and communities?
A lot of questions, but much to less answers, which can be take as guaranteed.
At the end we can only guess.
“Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.“
Niels Bohr, Danish physicist (1885 – 1962)
But still, thinking about the future is surely exciting and inspiring, and surely these design proposal for the airport of the fuure, made by students, are…
First prize: Oliver Andrew
Second Prize: Martin Sztyk
Third prize: Alexander Nevarez
At the end I have to commit: I am glad to catch still a less spacy airplane at Amsterdam Schiphol when I am leaving for holidays…
What about you: Are you already ready for the future?
by Christian Hahn on March 12, 2012
Enormous efforts had been made, the last bits and pieces have been brought together; and now after a construction period of circa 4 months, it’s done: During the Geuzen Commemoration (Geuzenherdenking) on 13th march 2012 the Market of Vlaardingen will be opened.
Since 1946 this memorial takes place every year and since 1987 the Geuzen Medal has been given to individuals or institutions that have devoted themselves to fighting for democracy or against dictatorship, discrimination and racism. After Richard von Weizsäcker, Václav Havel, the prize will be given this year to Gregory Shvedov. And when the cameras will ban this event on screen this year, you will be surprised as the Market will be appear in its new “outfit”.
And hand in hand with the grand opening, we are very keen to announce that this unique project has gained national interest again. After an online publication at WLA last year, the project has been published in one of the most renowned magazines in Korea: the project is showcased in vol50 of LW magazine.
Curious? Just see/ read for yourself…
And you can be sure: soon you are going to see an impression of the remodelled square right here.
by Christian Hahn on March 8, 2012
A preview of Turfmarkt in Gouda
We have not only been working on the design and construction design for this project, but have been commissioned with the visualisations as well. Since some time now, we do experience that three dimensional images are the most useful tool to communicate design ideas with all different stakeholders.
According to the principle what you see is what you get/ what you get is what you see people can directly see the impact of our design proposals.
And the great thing is: during construction phase, when the whole site goes upside down, a sign at the construction site with an artist impression shows the amazing public space which is build there right at the moment.
And of course we are very happy whenever our images are used for broad communication purposes, as this is a remuneration of the great work we do every day.
In Gouda the construction work is at full speed and we can’t wait to see the final result…just let us hope that the sky will be in real as blue as on our artist impression, when we come along next time to shoot some photos…
