Maselakepark, Berlin

Water is the defining element of the park, which stretches for 1.1 km along the banks of the Havel. The park formulates an essential section of the Havel shore path of the water city Spandau. Found potentials of the place form the basis of the design and are worked out as own identities by purposeful landscape-architectural interventions.
A generous promenade reminds as fortified water edge of the historical course of the Spandauer fortress ditch and the former industrial use of the north port. The existing natural stone paving is reinstalled, interrupted by large-format concrete slabs that trace the characteristic course of the harbor basin. The harbour pier as a lowered part of the northern harbour promenade close to the water will be supported by a wall made of concrete elements. The wall will be differentiated in seating steps in some areas. Integrated stairs lead down to the Hafensteg.

A sun-exposed place that invites you to linger by the water, dangling your feet in the water, watching the harbor hustle and bustle. The Havelbalkon forms the conclusion, which pushes itself like a ship bow on the water out. At once a landmark and a vantage point, it opens up a view of the expanse of the Havel landscape. The soft embankment with the impressive stand of alder and willow trees of the Maselake Bay South is formed as a landscaped bank. Slightly modelled meadow areas formulate varied bank areas of different slope, reed packages are placed in front of the bank.
A green woody fringe traces the edges of the adjacent quarter. The shrub plantings of willows form clearly defined spatial boundaries that make Maselakepark functional regardless of the further development of the construction sites.

AppreciationGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2009

Jury verdict: The Maselakepark is a contemporary urban open space. A low-key and at the same time valuable waterfront promenade follows the historic course of the Spandau fortress moat as a paved water edge.

The wooden footbridge in front of the water edge is lowered, creating a direct water reference.

The near-natural waterfront spaces are landscaped with alder and willow trees. The discreetly modelled meadow areas offer places to linger. The design is convincing due to the intelligent interplay between a contemporary formal language, a high user acceptance and the creative interpretation of historical references. It is precisely from this unobtrusiveness and high creative power as well as tranquillity that this work derives its quality.