Landscape park Halde Norddeutschland, Neukirchen-Vluyn

Mountain of stillness

Konzept

The former mining tip „Berghalde Norddeutschland” is the biggest tip in the Ruhr region. 18,000,000 t of mining material, deposited in an area of 91 ha, extend to about 18 m in height. In the centre there is a crater-like plateau, made accessible to the public after the mining dump was no longer used.

The design interprets the dump as a „mountain of stillness”. Just a few, targeted interventions transformed the mining tip into an artistic landmark. At the same time, kite flyers, paragliders, mountain bikers and horseriders can find optimum conditions here. A panorama route along the edge of the crater provides visitors and athletes with impressive views into the wide expanse of the landscape.

In the large „inner crater” in the centre of the mining tip, everything else „disappears”: the wide expanse, the sounds, the wind. A place to secretly take a break. The crater for example provides space for concerts, while the steel „hall building”, visible from a great distance, is used for festivities and sports events.

The mining tip can be climbed using an intentionally narrow „stairway to heaven”, cut into the slope. With its precise shape it creates a clear landmark.

Customer

Stadt Neukirchen-Vluyn, RVR Ruhr Grün

Project period

2002 - 2009

Size

18.800 m²

Country

Germany

Competition

1st Prize competition 2002

Realization

WES & Partner

Partner

Artistgroup Observatorium, Rotterdam (NL)

Photos

Aerial view:
Microsoft Corporation

Pictures, ground plan, sectional and view drawings:
WES LandschaftsArchitektur

Pictures of the project

Publications

DVD

Das Ruhrgebiet: Halden und Panoramen

DA Music, 2012
DA Music (Director)

Halde Nord-
deutschland

Project presentation
Book

Oben: Halden-landschaftRuhrgebiet

Klartext-Verlagsges., 2010
Author: Wolfgang Berke +
Manfred Vollmer

Halde Nord-
deutschland

Project presentation
Book

Over all hills:The definitive oneHaldenführerRuhr area

Klartext-Verlagsges., 2009
Wolfgang Berke (Ed.)

Halde Nord-
deutschland

Haldenführer