Transformation of a schist quarry into a nature discovery park

Schiefererlebnis Park, Dormettingen

Schiefererlebnispark © Atelier Dreiseitl
Schiefererlebnispark © Atelier Dreiseitl
Schiefererlebnispark © Atelier Dreiseitl
Schiefererlebnispark © Atelier Dreiseitl
Schiefererlebnispark © Atelier Dreiseitl

As part of a project to recultivate the mining areas left behind by a cement factory near the town of Dormettingen, not only were landscaped areas restored, but a sustainable added value for people and nature was created in the form of the Schiefererlebnis Park. Instead of allowing recultivation to hide the traces of past mining for raw materials, the site has been given back to local residents and visitors as a park for experiencing nature and an event location. In this way it provides an opportunity for value creation in the region. Atelier Dreiseitl was initially commissioned with planning a small lake. This developed during the planning process to become a large, central element with a surface area of 5,000 m². The lake water is cleaned using soil filters and rainwater from the park is collected to be fed into the lake and to operate a water playground. Important elements of the park were designed such that they were connected to the lake, for example, a fossil digging site and the Lake Plaza as a central square where a building for restaurants and cafés as well as operational functions was erected. As the project progressed, Atelier Dreiseitl was also commissioned with planning an exhibition concept. For this purpose, places and scenes were designed in the park which, thanks to information-bearing facilities, convey to visitors the direct experience of how the cultural landscape and historical aspects are interlinked.

This project was presented as part of the 2015 Baukultur Workshops in Regensburg.

Completion 2013–2014
Planning period 2012–2013
Developer Holcim GmbH
Architect / planner

Atelier Dreiseitl

Planning partners Polyplan; Siegmund Landschaftsarchitektur
Size / area 10 ha
Building costs (gross) 5.8 M €
Uses Open space
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