Landscape(s) layers Competition for the regatta course at Lake Baldeney in Essen

Masterplan/ Intention
The creation of a new landscape from which to experience Lake Baldeney - this is the overarching guiding principle for the masterplan. A new 'landscaped topography' links the buildings and the outdoor space. The space-consuming parking is covered by an 'experience landscape', a multifunctional usable open space with a complementary sports, play and recreation programme, and thus 'hidden'. The different functional requirements of the site are closely linked.

From the new experience landscape, the grandstand is folded downwards towards the water. The grandstand, entrance building, rowing performance centre and the experience landscape will become a multifunctional unit in the final stage of development. The lake can be experienced unhindered from anywhere.

With the other new high-rise buildings - Olympic base, anchor shed, replacement areas and overnight accommodation - the existing regatta house is integrated into the logic of the proposed structure.

Design
At the intersection of Freiherr-vom-Stein-

Straße with the access road to the lake, a generous "lakeside square" is created, widening out towards the water and directing unobstructed views towards the water. The regatta tower is set in scene. The paths to the shore will be unbundled and improved, especially with regard to accessibility.

The stationary traffic will be completely accommodated with 300 parking spaces under the new experience landscape. For motor homes, vehicles with trailers or for parking boat trailers, temporary parking spaces will be offered in the landscaped areas between the grandstand and the regatta house.

The experience landscape - the roof of the parking garage - can be used multifunctionally. A large festival meadow planted with gravel lawn can be used for temporary catering at events, as a set-up location for a stage or for sales stalls. If required, tents can also be pitched here. A multifunctional sports field and facilities for beach volleyball and recreation serve as leisure facilities for the athletes who have travelled to the event as well as for Essen residents seeking recreation.

The new grandstand is set back from the existing one, creating a spacious, eight-metre-wide promenade, which is impressively flanked by the

regatta tower with its cantilevered upper storeys. The ends of the grandstand are broken up into seating steps. This will create lounge areas with a view of the lakeside square and the leisure zone with boules and slacklines, as well as the sports zone behind it at the regatta house.

There is seating for 1,800 spectators on seven rows of seats aligned parallel to the water. Wheelchair seating is located at the very top, accessible via barrier-free access from the parking deck. The stairways to the grandstand are flanked by wall panels. The viewing areas are designed by means of a concrete print with a photo, which can be seen by the viewer from the sea. The picture will be selected with the participation of the people of Essen, e.g. by means of an online procedure. It could show famous Essen athletes or motifs from the history of Lake Baldeney. Further seating can be found in the lakeside zone between the promenade and the water. This area, which is sunlit all day and lies directly on the water, will be designed as an attractive recreation zone. Stairs, seating steps, wooden decks for lying and sitting as well as integrated green areas alternate in a small scale and allow access to the jetties in front of it. The winning platform is integrated centrally into the terracing.