bbz landschaftsarchitekten: The old, protected village centre of Lachen with its narrow alleyways, spacious squares and streets was relieved of traffic by a bypass. Both the village centre and the access roads to the village centre were redesigned as part of the traffic shift. Thanks to the redesign, the village centre can be experienced as such again by visitors and users. A trilogy of squares connected by alleyways characterises the village centre of Lachen. The entire open space around and between the squares has been upgraded and transformed into a usable, high-quality recreational area and meeting place. The reinterpretation of the urban space, with a comprehensively revised traffic concept, uniform signage and inviting furnishing, interlock and create an open space that harmonises the valuable existing places and buildings.
The three important village squares, Rathausplatz, Kirchplatz and Kreuzplatz, which were previously occupied by motorised traffic, became once again places for people. Their individual design is based on the respective urban planning situation and local features such as the three existing fountains and historical and religious references. Related materials and colours strengthen the squares’ sense of unity. A uniform asphalt surface strengthens the spatially exciting alleyway space between the dense and winding buildings of the village centre. The new traffic regime creates a coexistent street space, which offers more room for encounters, shopping and strolling in the alleyways. Distinctive places such as intersections and widenings in the alleyway system are each marked by a solitary tree which improves orientation within the town. Today, the center of Lachen is a modern, identity-creating urban space with a uniform design that unites the attractive open spaces into a large whole.
Landscape architecture: bbz landschaftsarchitekten
Year completed: 2025
Photo credits: Daniela Valentini , Foto Mächler AG
