STATION FORECOURT WUPPERTAL Green meanders

Wuppertal is undergoing change. The comprehensive conversion of the area around the Döppersberg station was a flagship project to accelerate the city's infrastructural development. New retail buildings as well as new urban and traffic areas are to define the ensemble south of the city center in the future. The focus of the project is on the open spaces defined by the development. The aim was to trigger as few changes as possible in the structural planning and yet to give the station forecourt an appropriately high-quality design.

The public space of the station forecourt, which extends over two levels, was to be planned. These two parts are connected by a large flight of steps. The use of the space is essentially geared towards pedestrian traffic and recreation. The demands on the quality and functionality of the design are very high in line with the expected prominence of the complex. The project is intended to develop a radiance far beyond the city limits and provide a new development impulse for the city at this central location.





SPACE UNIT THROUGH TWO LEVELS



The very complex initial situation in terms of topography, design and functionality gives rise to the immediate desire to create a unique unit from the heterogeneous overall situation of the public spaces on Döppersberg. Despite a height difference of almost 8 meters between the two parts of the square and a functional division between crossing and staying, "above" and "below" are to be connected by a design canon.

This is primarily achieved through a uniform surface design. A light-colored paving carpet covers the entire area, including the steps in front of the former Federal Railway Headquarters.

The lower square is primarily intended to serve the functions of traffic, events, arrivals and deliveries. The upper square is to be given a greener character and serve more as a place to spend time.





spaciousness and width



The different existing buildings create height requirements which, coupled with the connections of the newly planned buildings, could have led to a visually unfavorable height staggering. A prismatic folding of the surface counteracts these adversities and at the same time creates a unique design image, which finds some of its inspiration in the topography of the city itself.

Between the plateau and the parapet, block steps invite you to linger and allow you to look north towards the city center. A visual relationship between the two levels of the square becomes possible.

The folds in the topography are not just stone. In addition to the functionally necessary paved traffic areas at the edges of the buildings, the quieter relaxation zones along the parapet are to be predominantly green. The prismatically folded lawns facing south and west are attractive places to linger and play. People can read, play and barbecue here to their heart's content.

Loose groups of trees on both levels complement this green component and allow the square to grow closer together. The transparent treetops of the fast-growing string trees provide pleasant light shade even on hot days. Even in autumn and winter, the loose growth and the gently moving crowns have a pleasantly relaxing effect on the 'magnificent buildings' that otherwise dominate the square.

The square furniture is mainly determined by three round benches. In contrast to the longer lingering on the upper levels, three round benches are available for temporary stays on the lower level. In combination with tree plantings, they are located on the east side of the otherwise open square area. The luminous Corian benches are a welcome focal point, especially in the evening.