The town hall of Luxeuil-les-Bains wishes to redevelop the square located in front of the town hall to provide a vegetated area and seating for residents and users. ATECH was contacted as the municipality wanted to install planters with integrated seating. After several discussions with our experts, a project proposal was drawn up. This project is the result of a collaboration between the town hall, ATECH and an architect who designed the seats. The idea was to propose furniture that fits the space but also matches the surrounding buildings, with a focus on unity. Designing a public square is a project that must be approached holistically, with many criteria to consider to ensure high-quality urban development.
The benefits of greenery in the city
Urban greenery brings many benefits to residents. It improves air quality, reduces the heat island effect and enhances the landscape. In addition to improving well-being, greenery improves our physical and mental health. It is also a way to provide habitat for urban wildlife. Finally, integrating nature into the city enhances its appeal. This trend is increasingly aligned with municipal strategies and urban planning policies.
A BESPOKE PUBLIC SQUARE LAYOUT
Design
The core idea of this project is to redevelop the public square by integrating seating and greenery.
Not far away, a museum will soon open. The town hall also wanted to offer an additional space where visitors can stop briefly between cultural activities.
The first design concept involved installing planters with seating. This reflected the desire to revitalise a mineral space with greenery. Integrating plants into urban furniture contributes to user well-being and supports the development of biodiversity.
MATERIAL
EXOTIC WOOD, CORTEN STEEL
ACTIVATED & STABILISED
LOCATION
TOWN HALL SQUARE, LUXEUIL-LES-BAINS
The process for designing a public square
There are several key steps to consider when designing a public square:
- Define the objectives: What activities do you want to encourage, and how should the space be used by visitors?
- Analyse the site and context: Take into account the available space, layout, and existing features such as trees and buildings.
- Develop a plan: Define green spaces, play areas, rest zones, footpaths, and parking if needed.
- Plan for vegetation
- Set up a maintenance strategy to ensure the space is sustainable and durable.
Key criteria to consider
To guarantee the quality of urban development projects, it is important to consider:
- The match between users’ needs and the space
- Safety
- Accessibility
- Aesthetics
- Attractiveness
- Durability
- Maintenance
Key features to assess
Public squares vary widely in layout and characteristics. A good design requires assessing the surrounding environment:
- Type of soil
- Gradient
- User flow
- Nearby developments
Material choices and implementation
Corten steel:
At first glance, the slope of the square did not allow for planters with bottoms. Even if the legs were adjustable, they would not have been stable. After discussions, it was agreed that bottomless planters in direct contact with the soil were more suitable for this layout. The material used was activated and stabilised corten steel.
The stabilised material was chosen for various reasons. First, to avoid staining when users sit down. Second, for visual consistency with the nearby museum which also uses stabilised corten.
It was important to maintain material consistency for unity across the site.
Exotic wood:
Finally, for seating, Moabi, an exotic wood, was selected. Over time, it develops a natural patina and requires no treatment. It ensures durability, with no need for preservatives. Its colour blends beautifully with the corten, adding a natural and warm touch.
The combination of materials offers a visually cohesive and appealing design. Corten steel highlights the planted areas with a natural character, while the wooden seating blends harmoniously into the overall layout, adding a warm and inviting touch.
Manufacturing:
The bottomless planters are panelled with backing plates. This allowed the logo of the town to be cut into the steel using a laser. Some planters are large enough to accommodate trees, as their root systems can grow into the ground. This is better suited to the site.
Borders connect each planter, creating massifs of perennials and integrated seats. The design was tailored by an architect, who proposed minimalist furniture for a unique, made-to-measure project.
Interested in this project?
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Choosing the right solution for your space with advice from our experts
This project is the result of close collaboration between our experts and the various stakeholders. Thanks to these discussions, we designed the most suitable solution for the space and its environment.
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