The landscape architect Ferdinand Tutenberg built the Altonaer Volkspark, probably the most splendid example of its kind, from around 1915-20 on the area of the so-called Bahrenfelder fir trees. The planned tunnelling under the motorway triggered an urban design competition for a new residential district. The central idea of our competition entry – which has been chosen for execution – is to restore and complement the historic park: the park offers a high quality of life and creates attractive housing for the district and in turn the district perceives the park in a fresh way.

A green ribbon runs in soft meanders around the park. On this hem – which for the moment is confined to the area of the competition perimeter – one can experience the meeting of the park with the houses façades. A concentrated tree growth and the promenade articulate the edge of the park, a residential road with a treeline accompanies the building development. A fortified funnel-shaped area lined by rows of trees marks the historical main entry to the park. New and cleared linking paths connect the urban street network to the park’s path system. The intersections in the area of the green belt are reinforced by means of small squares. Trapezoidal semi-private pockets of green space interrupt the house façades and let the neighbourhood participate in the park.

The historical mixed yew forest, whose soil supports a unique vegetation – rhododendrons, azaleas and moss – is carefully restored and complemented. The rich mesh of locations and spaces, abundant in episodes and relationships, is revived in an enriched form. At the heart of the intervention is the fairground, situated within a light oak forest. The peaceful seclusion of this enchanting place is re-staged creatively to provide profound awareness of emptiness.