Nippes Westsite, Cologne

The newly emerging residential quarter Nippes WestSite in Cologne-Nippes has an eventful history. For many decades, the area was used as a railway repair works, then lay fallow and now looks to a lively future.
In the meantime, multi-family and terraced houses with underground garages are replacing the old industrial facilities. They are embedded in a versatile open space concept with private gardens, inner courtyards, a densely branched path system and several playgrounds. New public parks with play areas for children of all ages adjoin to the north and south. Looking at the wide lawns with the occasional tree today, one would not believe that this was a post-industrial wasteland in the same place only a short time ago. Within a few months, an exceedingly lively, light-flooded city park has emerged.

A large lawn for sunbathing and playing is located in the center. A green embankment runs parallel to the adjacent railway line. On its crest a wide footpath invites to the distant view. It leads directly to a recreation area in the shade of an old cherry tree. Next door, a playscape offers children the opportunity to climb and swing, while a beer garden is planned for parents.

If you look very closely, you will see that there are two old bunkers in this park, which have been cleverly integrated into the concept. Even facade segments of the former railway repair works are now reused as part of low seating walls. And old rail lines can still be discovered in a small birch grove.

The woody plants flank the paths, offer visual orientation, provide seasonal variety and vitalize the microclimate.