LZBK

Rooftop garden, design of an urban square and the continuation of the pedestrian zone

The Landeszentralbank (federal state central bank) in Kassel is situated on a busy road with large office buildings and many passing pedestrians. The bank was completely refurbished in the 1980s, another vault was added and an underground car park built, which takes up all the space between the building and the street.

The objective was to create a prestigious forecourt, here where the pedestrian zone ends, which would reflect the stature of the 1930s building as well as provide a green space or city garden that is open to the public. The brief was neither for a children’s playground nor a place with seating for people to linger. So it was designed as a picture, a piece of garden art for the passers-by to enjoy in the city centre with an evergreen, slightly concave surface showing subtle changes in nuances through the seasons. In between the structured planting composed of single hedges, convex spaces open up and offer time for contemplative walks.

The beech and yew hedges and the double-flowered bird cherries are planted in specially prepared soil on the roof of the underground car park. Thanks to an open-minded client the details for the paving areas were implemented by experts in that field.

Award:
Client Award City of Kassel for exemplary landscape design