Adjustment of the New Square in Celovec

On the occasion of the Austrian-Swiss hosting of the European Football Championship, the capital city of the federal state of Carinthia commissioned architect Boris Podrecca to redesign the main square, Neuer Platz. The result is a square in the truest sense of the word: framed by ornate burgher houses, which represent the greatest asset of this place. To ensure that residents did not have to give up traditional greenery, a total of 65 planes were planted along the northern and southern sides of the square. A pleasant climate has emerged under the canopies of the double row of trees, from where one can quietly observe the happenings in the public space. The trees are regularly pruned to emphasize the elongated character of the space. The optical center of the square is marked by the historic fountain Lindwurmbrunnen (from 1583), which is accentuated by scenic lighting and the composition of the paving. The alternation of light and dark granite stones helps to integrate the entire area of the square, but also addresses practical requirements for the arrangement of parking spaces, placement of electric connection posts, and other elements of urban furniture, without being overly disruptive. Paving strips made of light Neuhauser granite stand out from the darker surface of Gebhartser syenite. The slabs, measuring 40 x 94 cm, are sandblasted on all sides with slightly rounded edges. Due to the intensive load of the new square, a relatively large thickness of the slabs of 16 cm was chosen, which have conically bevelled edges for better laying technique.