Town Square in Hall by Auböck & Kárász
Landscape Architecture: Maria Auböck and János Kárász
Location: On the fringe of the medieval centre of Hall, in Tyrol, Austria
Surface: 2.130 m²
Construction: 2005
Client: Municipality of Hall
Photo credits: Martina Posch
Text: A&K
The task was to create both an adequate context for two outstanding buildings (architects: Welzenbacher, 1932, Henke/Schreieck, 2004) and a conference centre. The design is part of a larger ensemble, which includes a park, located 3m higher north of the square. The square is built upon an underground garage of the 1970s, which resulted in a rather unfavorable topographic situation. Now on the same level with the neighboring arcades on two sides, the new surface is shaped by large polygonal fields of site-poured concrete with wide gravel seams. This design allows to cope with the particular challenges of the site concerning its incline.
The “cracked ice” pattern provides a distinctive metaphor for its subterranean use. Silver maples stand alongside an old weeping willow. A bamboo garden offers a meditative element.
The square serves as a meeting point for the surrounding habitants as well, as for tourists visiting the thorn house located on the northern side.
