A Garden Square Becomes a Neighbourhood Garden.

The spatial identity and history of a place play a central role in its authenticity and acceptance. Our landscape design for Barbarossaplatz draws on the square’s historic form around 1910, using its formal layout as a reference that strengthens identification with the place.

Once a lively urban space with active edges, the square today feels undefined in both character and use. Its redesign aims to create a multifunctional space that meets both aesthetic and ecological needs. Different uses—from urban gardening to play and relaxation areas—are integrated along the edges of the square, creating a variety of spaces and opportunities for people to spend time.

The aim is to transform an unclear space, primarily dedicated to traffic and centred around an isolated green island, into a traffic-free and active public space for all generations. A variety of uses are accommodated: seating niches for conversation or playing chess, a subtle skating and cycling circuit, communal picnic tables, outdoor lessons for the neighbouring school as a “green classroom”, as well as spaces for neighbourhood gatherings, community meetings and birthdays.

The design encourages intensive use by both residents and visitors, turning Barbarossaplatz into a lively neighbourhood space.

As part of climate adaptation efforts, Barbarossaplatz is intended to serve as a model for the transformation of inner-city neighbourhood squares, particularly those within historically developed urban districts. The design follows the principles of the “sponge city”, allowing rainwater to infiltrate and be stored locally. The evaporation of retained water from the wetland habitats integrated into the landscape patchwork helps create a pleasant microclimate.