Redesign village center of Baindt – A new village square for everyone
The starting point and key features of the planning process
Before the redesign, the village square in Baindt had not been experienced as the heart of the village. Large areas were reserved for parked vehicles and the village festivals held throughout the year. The steeply sloping surface of the square offered little in the way of a pleasant atmosphere. The square had no defined boundary to the west and was therefore difficult to perceive as such. The Sulzmoosbach, a small stream, was barely visible.
Through an intensive planning process involving workshops for local clubs and residents, we have succeeded in creating a new focal point in the village. Despite the pandemic, residents were able to participate on a regular basis – in some cases via a television studio – and the plans were adapted to reflect their wishes and needs.
New spatial concept – multifunctional layout and accessibility
The village centre has been completely redesigned. A canopy of trees, combined with a wooden slatted wall, serves as a temporary feature in anticipation of a medical centre planned for this site. Parking has been confined to a small area to the south, and the entrance to the existing underground car park has been redesigned so that it is no longer necessary to cross the square. The central square is now divided into an upper level situated above an existing underground car park and a lower level. A curved flight of steps, which also serves as a stage, creates a gentle gradient of approximately 2–3%, allowing for multifunctional use. A ramp running through the green space alongside the stream, connecting the start and end of the steps, ensures accessibility.
A small forecourt has been created in front of the town hall, which is also used by the adjacent restaurant in the summer. Here too, trees (Parrottia persica) provide shade and a wooden slatted screen offers privacy from the street. The upper part of the square is used by a bakery. The square is visually unified by a pattern-laid, shot-blasted granite paving comprising three different sizes sourced from four distinct European quarries. As there is a school for the blind on the site, the entire square has been fitted with tactile paving, and potential hazards are indicated through high-contrast markings. The road that previously ran across the square has been visually dissolved. Only the drainage channels in the paving hint at where motorised private traffic is permitted to cross the square.
Water and Quality of Stay
The Sulzmoosbach stream has been slightly widened and made accessible. Seating steps allow people to linger by the stream. At the same time, the area serves as a play and activity zone for children. To minimise the detour between the car park and the community’s event hall, a pedestrian bridge has been installed.
On hot days in particular, the cooling fountain area is another key attraction. The municipality of Baindt originated from the monastery of the same name. The monastery’s foundations were based on forestry and pond management. Thus, the 13 fountains in the square symbolise the 13 ponds that once belonged to the monastery. To help visitors make the connection, the fountains have been labelled accordingly. Children will find further play opportunities in the form of a trampoline and a balancing course. For the slightly older ones, the boules court in the copse (Ulmus ‘Lobel’) invites them to play.
Seating options, ranging from traditional benches to sculptures by the regional woodcarver Thomas Rösler, invite visitors to sit and relax without any pressure to buy anything. A drinking fountain quenches thirst at the touch of a button.
Other infrastructure
The number of parking spaces has been almost halved. However, the new parking area is designed for multifunctional use. A large marquee is erected here for major events. Outside opening hours, parking is provided in an adjacent supermarket car park. Anchors for marquees, the maypole and supply and waste disposal points have been installed throughout the square and have passed their first test during the initial festivals.
The existing bus stops have been converted to be accessible and fitted with covered bicycle racks and a repair station, so that cyclists can easily transfer to public transport here.
Landscaping Concept
The backbone of the planting scheme consists of various climate-resilient trees such as Fraxinus pensylcanica ‘Summit’, Tilia tomentosa ‘Brabant’ or Quercus cerris. Scenes formed by hornbeam hedges trimmed to varying heights provide a screen from the traffic. Perennial beds ensure abundant flowering throughout the year and also serve as a food source for insects.
The project demonstrates how even in smaller communities it is possible to create a genuine town centre by consistently reducing traffic areas, making water a central feature and incorporating multifunctional use from the outset.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dorfpl.,+88255+Baindt/@47.8414139,9.6590161,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x479bb0183143e575:0x26e64eb3906c8054!8m2!3d47.8414103!4d9.661591!16s%2Fg%2F1tdfm79g?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
