Along the Kreativachse Chemnitz (Chemnitz Creative Axis), approximately 80 vacant ground-floor spaces were brought back to life between 2023 and 2025 as part of the federal Sustainable Inner Cities and Centers program. At the same time, measures to enhance public spaces through additional green areas, design interventions, and new urban furniture were implemented at key locations. The aim was to counteract other steady decline of downtown areas and provide fresh momentum for diverse and vibrant city centers. The reinvigorated area extends from Chemnitz’s city center via the district centers of Brühl and Sonnenberg to Strasse der Nationen.
A Creative and Cultural Corridor Connecting Urban Districts Kreativachse Chemnitz is a prime example of urban transformation, bringing together stakeholders from the fields of art, crafts, and culture, education, social services, retail, and hospitality, all of whom contributed their own usage concepts. The project demonstrates how repurposing can be a better option than demolition, how participation and design can create new urban spaces, and how culture can act as a driver of urban development. This ambition is particularly evident in the design of public spaces; alongside parklet modules, large-scale sculptures, murals, and street art, urban furniture from Vestre was also incorporated.
Creating Places to Meet Through Art and Design
Vestre’s high-quality street furniture makes a significant contribution to enhancing the quality of life along the creative axis. In combination with sculptures by the Plus X collective—whose ABSTRAKT project operates at the intersection of art, spatial planning, design, and social work—a versatile urban environment has been created. The sculptures mark specific points along the axis and serve as stages or places to linger. At regular intervals, benches from Vestre’s VROOM and PLINTH collections act as orientation points and meeting places within the streetscape. In addition, five PARKLETS 2.0 transform areas that were previously used solely for parking into green spaces with flexible seating options. These interventions create opportunities for leisure and social interaction, giving the neighborhood a distinctive visual identity.
Consistent Design Meets a Coordinated Color Palette
The project management team at Kreatives Chemnitz created atmospheric ensembles through a cohesive color concept. The sculptures by the Plus X collective, combined with Vestre’s parklets, benches, and bicycle racks, enhance the cityscape with pleasant colors such as NCS special shades lilac and apricot, as well as RAL white-green. Where necessary, Vestre’s furniture plays a more understated role, featuring hot-dip galvanized steel frames and Kebony© surfaces. The SINUS bicycle racks are characterized by their organic design, which harmonizes with the aesthetics of the recurring sculptures. Interactive elements such as table tennis and foosball tables serve as spontaneous meeting points. All of these elements function not only as infrastructure but also as symbols of an open and creative urban society.
Voices From the Project
Linda Riefling and Marcus Bauerfeind from Kreatives Chemnitz on their collaboration with Vestre:
“The Norwegian manufacturer Vestre offers a diverse product portfolio characterized by design excellence, premium materials, and a strong commitment to sustainability across all areas. The collaboration was defined by outstanding customer service, flexibility, and professionalism. Even special requests were implemented quickly and creatively. We would choose to work with Vestre again and again, and are very grateful for this productive and successful partnership.”
Products Used:
Plinth
Vroom
Parklets
Sinus
Source: vestre.com