Redevelopment of a Square in Innsbruck
Until recently Landhausplatz, a public square situated between Innsbruck’s Central Station and the historic centre, was little more than a 9000 m² surface – roughly coinciding with the parking garage below it – not occupied by buildings. Now the square – which was reconstituted based on the winning entry to a design competition held in 2008 – has a decidedly urban flair: the ground plane has been transformed into a sculpted topography that invites different forms of exploration. From above the exuberant, artful landscape may seem a bit foreign and shallow amid an urban context characterised by the right angle. But from a pedestrian’s perspective, it quickly becomes clear that the different geometries provide spatial definition and, consequently, fulfil a number of functions. They create, for example, places that are sheltered and others that are exposed; two areas clearly assigned to sidewalk cafés; and integrated entrance and exit ramps. Last but not least, the new terrain is ideal for small children on bicycles and tricycles, as well as for youths on skateboards. The different age groups coexist – there is no need for signs prohibiting certain activities; instead, youth clubs worked together with the provincial government to develop a “behaviour codex”. Although it may come as a surprise in light of the top-notch quality of the concrete’s surface, the high-precision grid pattern of the seams, and the thorough computer-aided planning process, the entire topography is made of concrete panels – employing the particularly robust B7 mix – that were fabricated on site. The concrete workers first gave shape to these concave and convex geometries with the help of foam-glass gravel, and in the case of the areas surrounding the trees, of loose substrate, which they then covered in a 15 to 20 cm thick layer of thick, quick-setting concrete. Next the slanted concrete surfaces were grooved, and the upper tiers were polished. Precast units would have thrown the project off schedule, because the final geometry was not determined until the old paving was completely removed: at that point, the pre-existing conditions were crystal clear.
