Landscape Architects Network

Posted by LAN on Jul 12, 2015 in 2015, Germany, Landscape architecture

Posts, Riverside, WBP Landschaftsarchitekten

Full Project Credits for Riverside Lnen:

Project Name: Riverside Lnen
Location: 44532 Lnen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Budget: 850,000 euro
Designer: WBP Landschaftsarchitekten
Size: 21,000 square meters
Date of Construction: August 2013-February 2015
Client: Municipality of Lnen

The Best Way to Work With the Land at

Riverside Lnen
Riverside Lnen, by WBP Landschaftsarchitekten, Lnen, Germany.
Lnen is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, along the Lippe River, which
runs east to west, starting from Paderborn until it finally enters the Rhine River at
Wesel. This has provided Lnen with a steeply graded green space along the Lippe,
in the central part of the city.
Riverside Lnen is a redesign project of that green space by WBP
Landschaftsarchitekten. The five-meter height difference between the park and the
river provided a challenge for connecting the two spaces. The designers did so by
creating a new distinctive path that adapts very well to the natural contours, including
stairs that can function as a small amphitheater facing the river. They really did a
splendid job in creating an open-river park for people, using a simple touch to allow
people to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and a different experience than just
passing by the river in the middle of the crowded city.

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Riverside Lnen
Less Land to Modify Means More to Sustain

Keeping it simple and sustainable, this project does not alter the natural landform.
The distinctive paths and the amphitheater are built following the existing contours,
adapting to the environment rather than the other way around. The landscape
architects did a beautiful job of letting the environment shape the site. They designed
the hardscape, which adapts really well to the existing contours and environment.
Doing so both saved money and answered questions about sustainability.

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Pedestrian Comfort
WBP Landschaftsarchitekten paid a great deal of attention to making the pathway
comfortable for pedestrians. The path is built alongside the riverbanks, following the
contours and giving a proper steepness level for pedestrians and bicyclists to pass
through easily. The width of the path also gives enough space for people to walk and
cycle safely and comfortably.
The commitment of WBP Landschaftsarchitekten in bringing a user-friendly design
for the site is the key to turning these riverbanks into a lively environment for the
citys people.

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Exciting Changing Views of the River

The riverbanks offered many potential views. The designers had the idea to frame
and divide the panoramic river into several unique views to keep visitors experience
fresh. Using softscapes ranging from bushes to tall trees as borders, they created a
sequence of views that give visitors different visual experiences as they walk through
the site.
The use of softscapes instead of a solid harsdscape as a border also helps the
environment maintain its natural feel. This clever work in capturing the beautiful
panorama of the riverbanks will make every person enjoy their long afternoon walk
without being bored by just a monotone view.

Masterplan credit: WBP Landschaftsarchitekten. Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Amphitheater to Relax and Chill by the Riverbanks

The stairs that lead from the upper level down to the river also can function as a
small amphitheater that can be used to take a break, chill for awhile and enjoy the
beautiful view of the river. The design is sweet and simple, without much in the way
of curves or ornamentation.
The use of soft-toned material for the amphitheater was obviously the right option
it looks really good and perfectly blends with the natural environment. Imagine taking
a short escape from the city to relax at this beautiful place and enjoy the sunset by
the river.
Riverside Lnen as a Connecting Park
Riverside Lnen is located along the riverbank, stretching between two main roads to
the east and west. Because of that, this park now takes on an important role as a
green corridor and an alternative route from the main road in the east to the western
part of the city.

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

The design of this park reconsidered its function as a connecting space, and it works
really well. The paths are built in a straight way to allow people to travel faster when
in a hurry. The designers also kept the paths relatively flat by building them following
the natural contour line, making it less of an effort to walk or cycle. They also planted
some new deciduous trees alongside the paths to give extra shading on hot sunny
days.

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

WBP Landschaftsarchitekten really deserves to take all the credit for making
Riverside Lnen such a great work. They successfully turned these riverbanks into a
beautiful and lively riverside park without much disturbing the natural environment, by

adapting to the surroundings and letting the site shape itself. This environmentally
sensitive design is also sustainable.
So are you still thinking sustainability is just a buzzword? Think again!

Riverside Lnen. Photo credit: Claudia Dreye, Dortmund

Article by Harkyo Hutri Baskoro