Green Centre Hainholz . Hanover

Planning of the district square at the new Hainholz House of Culture and Family Centre, the public park with cross-generational play and sports facilities, and the adjacent entrance area to the Hainholz natural pool.

"Socially Integrative City 2014" Award from the Federal Association for Housing and Urban Development

Green Centre Hainholz . Park of Generations

Structure
The planning area is divided into two essential, interconnected areas with differentiated open space qualities. The entrance in the south is formed by the green, tree-lined district square with the entrance areas of the cultural centre and the new family centre on Voltmerstrasse.
North of the building ensemble, the Hainhölzer Park forms a wide, modelled meadow landscape as the open-space link between the Hainhölzer Markt, the Hainhölzer Bad and the open spaces of the cultural and family centre.

Transparency
The very strongly separating structures (shrubs, mature hedges, fences), which act as barriers and spaces of fear and are unkempt, are thinned out and removed. Openness and transparency are created.

Green Centre
The defining element of the Green Centre is the existing, tree-covered lawn, which in its new, strong form forms the green centre of the square area, which is equally accessible from all sides. The existing path axis is taken up and leads through the archways of the cultural centre into the park and to the Hainhölzer Bad. In the west, the difference in height to Voltmerstraße is compensated by a staircase running down the slope of the square, which at the same time defines the entrance to the family centre. The necessary parking spaces are located at the eastern edge of the square behind the former caretaker's building and the small, open garden area.

Hainhölzer Park
The generous, modelled meadow areas form a moving landscape with toboggan and lawn hills, which at the same time shield the access to Hainhölzer Bad from the park. The result is a park space that can be used and experienced in a variety of ways. The tree population will be preserved and supplemented at the park edges.

Connections and paths
Two different path systems connect the adjacent areas. From the city district square, two path axes lead into the park - the main axis directly to Hainhölzer Bad. Between the cultural centre and the family centre, another path connects the district square to the Hainhölzer Park via the playing fields. Between the allotment gardens in the west and the Hainhölzer Markt in the east, the Julius-Trip-Ring swings through the hilly landscape and is supplemented by further, curved paths.

Playgrounds
Between the cultural centre and the family centre lie the differentiatedly designed playgrounds. Play areas that can be used in a variety of ways form a colorful ribbon that extends from the green center into Hainhölzer Park. Play and activity possibilities for all generations lie here side by side and are developed in detail with the participation of the different user groups. The outdoor area of the cultural centre can be separated from the play band by a hedge.