A Democratic Public Space

Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, Karlsruhe, Germany

Rejuvenation of a modest and humble landscape; fitting the requirements of today and adhering to the original, design integrity.

West 8’s landscape design for the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, born from their winning competition entry, has revitalized the area profoundly. Today, the site features undulating lawns that offer scenic views of the adjacent Botanic Gardens, while sculptural trees and shrubs in the courtyards add seasonal dynamism to the rationalist architecture.

New lawns gracefully encircle the buildings, and a finely textured granite entrance square, designed for ‘democratic transparency,’ welcomes visitors with timeless elegance, seamlessly merging with the surrounding greenery.

1 — 4 The landscaping of the Federal Constitutional Court is characterized by modesty. The integration of the ensemble of historic buildings into the broader context of the Botanical Gardens and the grounds of the castle has been carefully considered with serenity and elegance in mind.