Sequence of rooms in historical nucleus Open two-phase competition Abdinghof Paderborn

From the competition brief:
"The competition area is located in the city centre of Paderborn in the immediate vicinity of the central retail location, the city hall and the Paderquell area. Due to the central location, the urban design of the squares Am Abdinghof, Franz-Stock-Platz, Gutenbergstraße and Marienplatz as well as the integration and elaboration of the urban axes and the open space planning squares are the central competition tasks in addition to the architectural design of the new city administration."

Explanatory report:
The open spaces in the planning area differ from each other due to partly clearly different initial situations and linked, diverse usage requirements. The redesign of the urban spaces takes this into account and further develops the strengths of the respective spaces.

The stepped design of the Marienplatz enables it to be linked to the surrounding street spaces. Barriers are removed to create different qualities of stay. The pathways across the square interweave it with its immediate surroundings. The exposed statue of the Virgin Mary continues to form the centre of the square. The new building of the city administration is prominently positioned on the square and the visual relationship to the town hall square is kept free.

A lively city square is created - a central meeting point.

The steps divide the square into areas with different qualities of use: diverse views over the square and into the adjacent urban spaces, a stage in the city as well as quiet stay under trees, space for festivals and events. The new tree planting supports the visual and path relationships, provides shade and emphasises the edges of the square. As far as possible, the existing trees will be preserved. In addition, Gleditsia triacanthos Inermis, a stress-resistant and climate-adapted tree, will be planted. The uniform surface material throughout supports the interweaving of the square with the surrounding urban structure.

On the Abdinghof, the new staircase reinforces the relationship between below and above. The usable space and the variety of uses are increased, the accessibility of the city museum, city administration and Franz-Stock-Platz are improved. A stair ramp allows barrier-free access to the upper level and facilitates the use of Franz-Stock-Platz. The staircases are oriented differently and allow a variety of views into the Paderquell area. The different levels provide space for the small monument and for the advertising space of the

museum. At the foot of the stairs is space for exhibits of the museum. The large area between the stairs and the street provides ample everyday parking and can be kept clear for the market and events. The street design to the north is taken up and extended to Marienplatz. The continuity of the materiality increases the relationship to the city centre.

Franz-Stock-Platz will be carefully restored on the basis of the protected design. The surfaces will be preserved in their current form, the flooring will be repaired, and the grid will be more prominent as a leitmotif. The stage will be reactivated and two seating elements will increase the quality of stay of the square. A new tree will be planted in the visual axis of Gutenbergstraße, oriented to the listed existing trees. The large existing trees will be retained and supplemented by contemporary and low-maintenance perennial plantings. In addition, escape routes will be created along the facades. In Gutenbergstraße, the likewise very careful treatment of the existing buildings takes into account the scale of the narrow alley. The fixtures are removed, perennial plantings replace the tree plantings in the raised beds. Three new seating elements make it possible to stay in the immediate vicinity of the shops. The paving will be repaired.