Lammegarden Bad Salzdetfurth nominated for polis award

A stage for nature and building culture - because the power of architectural design is sometimes at its best when it is hardly noticed. The old town centre of Bad Salzdetfurth, dominated by timber-framed houses, underwent two fundamental alterations which reconnected it with nature and turned it into a memorable place that creates a sense of identity. The reshaped market square, due to its calm uniformity, takes a back seat to the historic half-timbered buildings, the actual stars of the show. The redesign results in an ample, level square which is uniformly paved and has no additional, disturbing components. The concept of a multifunctional ‘shared space’ is supported by few, deliberately placed design elements. The river Lamme is easily accessible again at the spot where a bathing house once stood, but where the connection between town and river had been blocked by a wall in the more recent past. A stairway leads down to the water. Here too, the pre-existing situation – natural space and water garden – is showcased, with the stairs acting as the auditorium.