Shared Space Bous

The project transformed a formerly heavily trafficked through-road in the heart of Bous into a shared space with new qualities of urban life, calming traffic and upgrading the public realm in the process. The groundwork for the project included a community participation process with a series of public workshops. This collaborative approach made it possible to integrate the private forecourts of adjacent buildings into the overall design. The road surface was leveled across the full length and width of the shared space, giving equal footing to all users — pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. The defining design element is a two-tone patterned paving. The pattern serves to articulate distinct plaza areas and points of attraction along the shared space, counteract the linearity of the street corridor, and reframe the program of the public space. Two new public gathering spaces were created: a plaza adjacent to the church and a flexible forecourt in front of the school. Tree plantings and large shade umbrellas provide canopy over both areas. Additional planting troughs and seating increase the share of greenery in the village center, improve the quality of the public space, and deter illegal parking. Two greened bus stops were also designed as part of the project, offering enhanced comfort for passengers and encouraging greater use of public transport.

Pedestrian Zone Lebach

As part of the revitalization of the town center in Lebach in the Saarland, FORM SOCIETY and Ernst & Partner Landscape Architects designed the new pedestrian zone. The project creates an inviting meeting point for residents and visitors alike, encouraging them to rediscover the town center as a place to spend time. The upgraded public space caters to all generations and offers room for events, culture, and relaxation. The project strengthens the town’s adaptability, supports local businesses and commercial facilities, and contributes to the implementation of ecological strategies. The town center of Lebach consists of a built ensemble from the 1970s, with buildings aligned along an axis that alternately expands into a sequence of small squares and narrows again. Along this axis, a variety of zones were developed to provide a foundation for flexible and diverse use of the public space. A central design element is the adaptable open areas suitable for various events, as well as the traditional weekly market. Green spaces, tree plantings, and water features create areas with high amenity value and mitigate summer overheating. The local topography was also taken into account when furnishing the public space, with seating steps and niches integrated into terrain shifts. To reinforce the commitment to an attractive town center for all generations, a large playground was created between the town hall and the public swimming pool. Cycling infrastructure was improved by providing bike parking in front of shops and installing e-bike charging stations. This project improves everyday use and sets the stage for Lebach’s town center’s long-term revitalization and upgrading.

Community Hall „Um Breil“ Greiveldange

The new community hall in Greiveldange replaced its predecessor, which could no longer meet the current needs of its users. The two-story building serves as a rehearsal space for the local music ensemble and as a meeting venue for various community groups. Next to the building, the design comprises a terraced open space with plants and wooden seating areas, creating a new quality of public space. Together with its outdoor area, the community hall forms part of the rebuilt town centre of Greiveldange. The building’s crystalline outline is determined by its location at the intersection of several streets, and the resulting narrow construction site, and by the primary function of the large hall as a music rehearsal space. The roof’s shape creates the required ceiling height for the hall, defines the building’s form, and allows for the southern exposure of the photovoltaic system. The building’s large-format, patterned façade panels give it a striking design, reflecting its dynamic form. The building is located on a slope and is accessed via entrances on the ground and upper floors, which are connected by an exposed concrete staircase. The upper level contains the large hall, a small hall with a bar, and sanitary facilities integrated into the space as a box. The lower level houses the technical and archive rooms, as well as a multi-purpose room for the clubs to use. The building is naturally lit by its frameless glass façades. The combination of sun protection glazing and shading of the glass surfaces by loggias and cantilevered building sections means that external mechanical sun protection is not required. The building’s primary energy supply comes from renewable sources such as geothermal energy, which is used for heating. A photovoltaic system integrated into the roof, coupled with a battery storage system, ensures an independent power supply.