In Wels, Austria, Part A of the Kaiser-Josef-Platz by atelier dede and Steinkogler Aigner Architekten sees a suburban square transformed into a hub that connects the country to the city. Though highly urban and modern, the interchange reflects influences from the surrounding area and landscape history with its openness as a public space allowing for farmer’s markets and festivals. Inclusion planning was also carried out during the design process in cooperation with the Upper Austrian Association of the blind and visually disabled people.
The redesign of the stop accommodates eight 18 articulated buses simultaneously. Three different-sized roofs span the square and are intended to provide shade and cooling with inlays in the roof, which are reflected in the form of landscape islands on the square, enabling additional cooling effects through wind movement.
Trees growing through roof openings along with additional trees planting in planting islands connect the square and encourage people to take advantage of the shade. Native perennials and grasses are also included in the planting islands, helping to enrich the biodiversity of the scheme.
The pedestrian area also sees a complete redesign with an adapted meeting zone and enlarged areas featuring bicycling spaces and public seating directed to a wide variety of users. Vibrant granite stone from the Bavarian Forest, which separates the pedestrian areas from the road, adds a new identity along with a visual connection between the connecting roof structures. Finally, the lighting of the square offers an avant-garde ambience. LED strips under the roof and public seating elements.
