The 19th century saw the emergence of opera houses in many cities, buildings where one instantly recognises that operas are performed within them. Whether in Stuttgart or Frankfurt, Munich, Aachen, Dresden, Leipzig, or …Hanover, standing before these grand edifices evokes a sense of Verdi, a “La Donna è Mobile,” much like the sight of a church suggests organs and incense.
This square in Hanover is perfect for beauty, as opera encompasses all forms of art: singing, orchestral music, drama, dance, costume, set design, lighting, and more. Although it is never easy to momentarily shut out the urban hustle and bustle, the yew ornaments and hedges seem to push forward through the noise, bridging the gap to Rigoletto. Within the triangle formed by Georgstraße, An der Börse and the opera house, a space has emerged for strolling, reflecting and peaceful sitting.
The memorial to the murdered Jews stands starkly among the seemingly casual yew ornaments and the grassy patches beneath the old trees. A memorial is often quite disturbing; playful green arabesques can provide a welcome distraction.
Project Data
Landscape architecture: Kamel Louafi
Project location: Hanover, Germany
Year completed: 2009
Photo credits: Kamel Louafi (+ Lucas Reyer drone images)
Arabesques am Opernplatz Hannover
Client: LH Hannover, FB Planen und Stadtentwicklung + FB Umwelt und Stadtgrün
Project Management LHH: Thomas Göbel-Gross, Stefan Knuffmann
Competition: Kamel Louafi, Nil Lachkaref
Design Planning: Kamel Louafi, Milena Jeschke, Petra Anders, Dörte Eggert-Heerdegen, Patrick Bairstow, Marc Pouzol, Günter Maser, Michael Kizil
Implementation Planning: Petra Anders, Milena Jeschke, Dörte Eggert-Heerdegen, Patrick Bairstow, Günter Maser
Construction Supervision, FB Umwelt und Stadtgrün: Stefan Rolf
Construction Design Supervision: Kamel Louafi
