THE WELLS
Breweries were located where there was also good water for brewing beer. The two wells tell of a long tradition and history. They create identity and shape the place. The design emphasizes the importance of water for Graz Reininghaus and deliberately highlights the wells. This creates two different plazas on the theme of water. The “Drinking Well Plaza” by the meadow arena to the east features different kinds of fountains that invite people to drink, pump, play, cool off and more. The “Spring Well Plaza” by the pond, meanwhile, stages the water by letting it flow over a waterfall into the pond, conveying the feeling that the pond is fed by the well. Access to the well is ensured and the requirements of the water protection area are taken into account.
THE “GREEN RIVER”
Running from north to south is the “Green River,” a meandering functional strip recalling the defining element of water and its importance for Reininghaus. The paths and plaza-like widenings of the inner zone arise in a flowing, natural way. The access axes, consisting of bike and pedestrian paths, are clearly set apart from the inner design by a wide green strip with trees. The front-yard zones connect directly to the bike and pedestrian path. The paving and landforms of the inner zone allow rainwater to infiltrate. The outer access paths are surfaced in asphalt. Planted swales of different sizes, alternately wet and dry, collect excess surface water and let it slowly infiltrate on site. Playgrounds shape the first section from the park to Kratkystraße. Sports areas and places to spend time continue toward the south.
THE REININGHAUS POND AND THE MEADOW ARENA
To the east, around the “Drinking Well Plaza,” extends a wide, lowered meadow, partly terraced with seating steps. The roof of the pergola along the public transportation axis projects toward the meadow arena and can therefore be put to good use for events. Along the edges, the meadows are framed by trees, and individual shade trees are scattered across them. On the western side of the park is a generous pond recalling the former ice ponds. Stylized ice blocks at the water's edge invite people to linger and watch. The pond is sealed at the bottom with a fabric-reinforced dark gray liner. A generous planted shallow-water zone and circulation via the waterfall are planned to clean the water. Grove-like tree planting and gentle mounds form differentiated places to spend time here. Wooden decks push into the landforms and create places to retreat.
Rendering Reininghauspark - ice pond
