DEENFR

Esch sur Alzette | Place de la Résistance

Place de la Résistance, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxemburg

Designed as a traditional European plaza, the Place de la Résistance is expressive and green. It also includes a contemporary artistic concept that refers to the diverse demographics of the surrounding ‘Brill’ neighbourhood. Through its spatial concept and function the green plaza is well integrated within the city; it reflects the neighbourhood’s vitality and diversity while at the same time providing valuable open space and garden art. The intention was to use this location to create a meeting place for people of all ages and to design a space that could be used during all four seasons, both day and night.   

The surrounding wave-shaped evergreen hedges give the plaza its unique character. As modern garden art, they are complemented by bronze statues shaped like the hedges. The edge formed by the hedges combined with the hedge sculptures draws one’s attention to ‘garden art’, with its affinity to, and overlap with, other forms of art – as well as within the sense of art in gardens in the tradition of sculptures in gardens and parks. As central elements the statues indicate the intended height of the hedge (in 100 years as well), and the design with living material, which corresponds to the look and feel of the statues, in soft flowing forms. The installation art project Five Continents is also located at the plaza. It consists of five bronze sculptures at the centre of the plaza which represent friendship among the five continents. Relief figures on the surface of the sculptures refer to different regions. Paths extend to the edge of the plaza from its centre. ‘Water windows’ are located at the centre of the installation. Lighting will emphasise the overall image at night.               

Art: Kamel Louafi

Landscape architecture: Kamel Louafi Landschaftsarchitekten

Architecture: Herbst und Kunkler Architekten

Lighting Design: Studio Dinnebier / Dinnebier + Blieske

Photography: Gérard Borre Photographe, Christof Weber Photographie, Kamel Louafi Landscape Architects