Technical center Mittweida

The Technikumplatz is the counterpart to the market square in downtown Mittweida. A spacious square framed by stately greenery with a view of the main building of the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. It marks the transition from the city centre to the quarters interspersed with urban greenery and is the interface between the historic old town, spacious green areas, residential areas and the prelude to the green campus of the university.

The aim of the redesign of the square is to create a flowing transition from the city centre to the green campus and the adjoining green residential areas in the north. The university and campus thus move closer to the urban centre. The adjacent parks to the north reach into the urban square area, form the flanks and dissolve towards the city centre except for individual solitary trees.
Coming from the city centre, the view opens up to the main building, the Carl-Georg-Weitzel Bau at the high point of the Technikumplatz. The direct walking line, corresponding to the visual connection, is strengthened. A direct footpath from the city centre to the university becomes possible.
The northern area of the square divides into individual terraces, these lie slightly fanned out in a brace of imposing park trees, shrubs and characteristic individual copses. In the style of historical park paths, the terraces are paved with a water-bound surface. With a slight slope and height grading adapted to the terrain, the individual areas fit harmoniously into the existing topography.
The structure and height gradation is realized by a recurring element; a combination of steps and flat seating wall. Alternately arranged, the steps and walls in combination with individual solitary trees offer a variety of recreational opportunities, but also a direct path connection from the city center to the campus. In the centre, a spacious terrace is created, which is also easily accessible for wheelchair users via a ramp. The ramp will also allow occasional access for events. Through this staggered sequence of areas, an uncomplicated integration of a generous stage with sufficient audience space for city festivities or university celebrations is possible.
At the high point of the square, in front of the main building, is the university balcony. It is, with the material of the slabbed surface of the southern Technikumplatz, both as a prelude and as a conclusion of the Technikumplatz. This open space directly in front of the building allows an unobstructed step and an unobstructed view all the way to Rochlitzer Strasse - the gateway to the city centre.
On the west side of the building, there are three corresponding parking spaces directly next to the disabled access. The access to the total of 15 parking spaces is via a height-leveled ramp. An exit to Leisniger Straße is possible for suppliers. Uncontrolled access is prevented by bollards. The pedestrian flow, especially to the other university buildings to the north, can be unhindered.
The spacious, southern part of the Technikumplatz unifies the currently very heterogeneous situation through its uniform materiality. A modern slabbed surface in varying lengths and widths takes up the orientation of the staggered heights and terracing of the northern part of the square and forms the overarching design pattern.
The prerequisite for a harmonious and visually uniform design of the Technikumplatz across Tzschirnerstraße to the facades of the Europäischer Hof and the Hotel Stadt Chemnitz is the slowing down of city traffic and the use of a uniform material. The square area and the street space are visually kept in the same shades, the street space is set off from the square by a flat edge, the uses overlap and a generous square area is created.
Driving barriers at the access roads to the square, the reduction of the street cross-section, the integration of perpendicular parkers and a visual setting back of the street space cause the "deceleration" of traffic - the pedestrian will have priority in the future.
An important design element are multimedia "Infopoints", which continue the existing information system of the city center into the campus. In accordance with the overarching design principle, these as well as the solitary trees, steps and wall elements are arranged alternately on the terraces and accompany the visitor from the city centre to the campus.