Queen Juliana Square Vaals Vaals, Netherlands

The core idea of the new planning of the public space is to move the community center back into the urban center and to formulate a new layout for the marketplace.
The concept is based on two key ideas. On the one hand, the relationship from the shopping street and the new marketplace to the community centre is to be strengthened. On the other hand, the subspaces along this line are given their own design themes, so that an exciting sequence of squares is created. The content of the individual design themes is developed from the specifics of the location, via its industrial past of the Clermont cloth factory. The theme of fabrics is translated into the surfaces of the open space by means of inlaid coverings.

Redesigning Vaals marketplace
With the urban reorganization of the development in the vicinity of the community center in Vaals, the public space is also given the opportunity to redevelop. Core idea of the superordinate new planning is it to move the community center again more strongly into the urban development center and to formulate a new cut for the market place.
The landscape architectural concept is based on two crucial ideas. On the one hand, the relationship from the Maastrichterlaan with its shops via the Tyrellsestraat and the new market square to the municipal building is to be strengthened. On the other hand, the different subspaces along this line are given their own design themes, so that an exciting sequence of squares is created. The content of the individual design themes is developed from the specifics of the location, via its industrial past of the Clermont cloth factory. The theme of fabrics is translated via stylized carpets, which are inlaid as pavement inlays in the surfaces of the open space.

Tyrellsestraat
The direct connection to Maastrichterlaan in the new quarter leads via Tyrellsestraat. It is interpreted as a runner. Along the new development, it is easy to stroll and shop on large concrete slabs. The walkway in front of the facades is generously designed and offers the possibility to place chairs for gastronomy or shop displays here.
The line of the arcade is composed of box-shaped cut linden trees and has a guiding effect. In addition to the function of atmospherically enhancing the stone urban space with the horticultural theme of the plant, various functions are accommodated under the canopy of leaves. Parking spaces and bicycle stands alternate with planted areas, seating and play objects that invite visitors to linger.
The space is illuminated by lines of pole lights that have a guiding effect along the development as well as making the zoning between traffic and pedestrian areas recognizable in the area.

Market Square
The market square receives its spatial setting through the new development structure from the urban master plan. The design envisages here an open and multifunctional playable square, which fits into the overarching theme of the fabrics as a market carpet. The market field can be clearly read as an inlay in the paving and interprets the structure of a fabric via a laying pattern of concrete paving stones. In addition, the market carpet is complemented with a water feature of fountains. Here, too, the urban space is designed with a plant accent. A particularly picturesque grown solitary tree emphasizes the angle of the development.

cloth terrace
The area between the new building on the market square and the community center receives the theme cloth terrace. The area pushes slightly out of the sloping existing topography and can be accessed barrier-free, as well as via steps.

Parking area and St. Paulusstraat
St. Paulusstraat will be more connected to the new neighbourhood at Market Square. To strengthen the cohesion, the pavement of the street will also be made in natural stone pavers. This will also give greater emphasis to the traffic-calmed residential street character. The arrangement of the buildings at the transition to the market square will create a small square with a group of trees to distance the traffic from the pedestrians' lines of movement.

Award International ProjectsGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2019

Jury verdict: The municipality of Vaals is located in the east of Limburg, directly on the German border with Aachen. This region has been characterized by an intensive German-Dutch intertwining for several centuries, which was particularly reflected in the cloth production of Vaals. The design of Club L 94 develops from the historical background a sensitive, site-specific design for the redesign of the market place and the adjacent streets.

With the urban reorganization of the community center - area, the adjacent public space should also be upgraded. The focus of the design is the new market place, which prominently highlights the community center and at the same time formulates a multifunctional usable open space. Via an inlay that traces the typical weaving patterns of the region, the square is given a concise centre.

The visitor is guided to this new centre via a sequence of designed streets and small squares. The dyer tradition of the place was the inspiration; two fountains and the dyer's garden reflect the history and make the old craft tradition of the quarter tangible.

It succeeds in creating attractive open spaces with a special genius loci through the clever combination of history and modern design. The visitor is guided through the city in a stimulating way. In the interplay of materiality, vegetation and purposefully used special objects, the landscape architects create an open space that opens up attractive areas for the citizens to stay and gives the place a special atmosphere.