Wilhelm Leuschner Platz, Leipzig, Germany

2010 – 2015, open workshop, first prize

The idea behind the city design of a bombarded part of Leipzig in close proximity to the historical centre was prepared as part of an invited city-planning workshop. The planned block building development of the area, which has still not found an investor, has been impaired by the completion of the underground railway tunnel with exit structures for the station. The design creates a city park in the western part as a new interpretation of the original promenade and a block construction on the eastern part, partially in the historical street line with a planned city market whose facade would face out on on the new square. The design emphasized the idea of linking up the southern urban texture of the city with the ring road, guiding the important city road leading toward the former market up all the way to the Ring, with a clear and distinct position of a newly emerged public space in relation to the Ring, providing a certain rhythm, defining and mutually linking its spatial segments and finally emphasizing the position of the public buildings within the city (church, library, market). The designed promenade would allow for the emergence of an adequate city space for the planned placement of the Reunification monument. The design also considers the temporary use of part of the area in such a fashion so as to obtain a city defining function and shape at the time of the completion of the underground railway station and its gradual construction over logical stages.