Places & Spaces Whilst Away

landschaftspark – duisburg nord

August 20, 2012

Before setting off to germany last week my friends urged me to bring my camera. Reluctant at first, as i intended to travel light and have a chilled out few days, i trusted there’s probably a good reason for it. Boy am i pleased i listened!

The weather was glorious so, on saturday, we set off to the first of two rather special places. The second one i will blog about here on thursday. Be sure to come back!

Duisburg is a city in the ruhr region, one of germany’s most densely populated areas due to heavy industrial growth. The region has two million inhabitants who live in 17 cities. It has an important industrial past with many mines, iron and steel works now largely disused. One of these sites is the landschaftspark, now a public park designed in 1991 by latz + partner.

The old thyssen factory site stopped production for good in the mid 80’s, was closed off and unknown to most of the residents in the surrounding area. The local councils couldn’t decide what to do with the site until they realised that due to the lack of activity, nature had intervened and there was ecological renewal. This prompted the recovery and creation of an important green space for public and recreational use and the preservation of an industrial monument.

The landschaftspark is considered a park with clear landscape values and an industrial heritage which has been converted into a new generation park. I don’t believe there are any previous examples so let’s hope that other similar cases will follow.

These were just at the entrance to the park. Colour joy or what?

The actual steel works were very impressive and some of them one could climb up to the top. Err, i didn’t:) As you know i’m always interested in close ups and details.

I love how the steel has been coloured through usage forming such interesting marks, patterns and colour combinations.

Honestly, who can see the pattern for a missoni knitwear jumper? I can!

I was fascinated by the effects on some of the walls as we were walking around. They looked like abstract paintings or arial views of a landscape.

The complex is huge and has many open spaces that can be hired out. Below, a turkish band were filming a video for their latest single.

There’s a great slide for kids, and big kids too!

You can go rock climbing.

What is so incredible is the combination of steel structures versus the luscious greenery. It did blow my mind.

Some more interesting colours and textures.

The park is like a maze and i can imagine returning time after time and always discovering something new. Here are some shots showing lines that form interesting patterns.

There’s also a massive outdoor cinema and a diving school. It’s enjoyed by young and old. I really loved seeing so many people visit.  Apparently at night the lighting is incredible, take a look.

I leave you with some ‘visitors’, who equally had fun and will see you back here on thursday. Happy monday folks!

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22 Comments

  • Reply Igor August 20, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Absolute colour joy! And I so love the fact that you find inspiration everywhere!!

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:45 am

      Colour heaven, right???

      I do really believe that inspiration comes from everywhere….

  • Reply Theresa August 20, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    This space is incredible, Tina! I can’t believe all the interesting activities a person can do there. As always, you managed to capture some really interesting textures and color. Loved your Missoni reference, which I definitely recognized. Good thing you carried your camera along! See you Thursday!

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:47 am

      Ha. Knew would recognise the Missoni. I swear I’ve seen a jumper like this:)

      It’s an incredible place. Your kids would absolutely adore it!! Can’t wait to go back there.

  • Reply geraldine August 21, 2012 at 8:55 am

    Great industrial photography, you’ve really captured the atmosphere of the place. What an interesting location 🙂

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:47 am

      Thanks Geraldine. I do love a bit of industrial photography:)

  • Reply Catherine Bedson August 21, 2012 at 9:16 am

    Tina this place looks like something from a movie set..wow! The first photo of the steelworks is stunning and yes I can totally see the pattern of a new missoni jumper..now I understand through these posts you do how creatives are inspired by nature and the world around them. It’s the way you look at it. My fav pic though is the last one of the two furry visitors..so cute.

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:53 am

      I love recording amazing moments but sometimes pictures don’t do the real thing justice. It’s breathtaking when you’re actually there.

      Another one spotting the Missoni. That was fun right?

      I think that designers find inspiration everywhere and sometimes it only takes a glimpse of something that will inspire an idea one can build on. You’re absolutely right in saying that it’s the way you look at something. This, thankfully, anyone can learn and it’s just a matter of training your mind and eyes to do so. Try it when you’re next somewhere that isn’t obvious…. a route you take in the car, a piece of forest, a scrap yard… anything. Look and see whether you can make some sort of connection to colour, shapes, patterns or, dare I say, a dish of some sort that reminds you of what you’re looking at….

      The ‘furry visitors’ were the stars !! x

  • Reply parisbreakfast August 21, 2012 at 9:58 am

    WOW Love the doggies best I guess…
    I’m not the mountain-wall climbing type but it does look spectacular
    Why not get a much smaller camera like a Canon S100?
    easy peasy have fun Carolg

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:56 am

      Another doggies lover….

      Darling, I’m not the mountain-wall-climber either:)

      You know I thought about getting a smaller camera but then I love the pics I can take with mine and with places like these and the Paralympics opening ceremony I’m just too happy I have this amazing equipment.

  • Reply James Balston August 21, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Cant believe I didnt go and see that when I was in Dusseldorf! Looks incredible, will definitely check it out next time, as I’ve always had a thing for rust and dereliction! Interested to see it was designed by Latz & partners, as they produced the beautiful masterplan for Crystal Palace park, although sadly nothing seems to be progressing on that front.

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 7:58 am

      You would absolutely LOVE it and not believe your eyes. You would also, like me, not be able to put down your camera as there are million angles you’ll want to photograph!

      I know, Latz+Partners are great. Oh, hopefully the Crystal Palace Park project will still go ahead. You could always write to the council and tell them about this park here… that might prompt them….

  • Reply leah of sang the bird August 21, 2012 at 11:18 am

    tina, what a visual feast! your photos take me on such a wonderful journey, i could get lost in them for hours!
    inspiration and beauty is everywhere! missoni 2013 inspiration xx

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 8:08 am

      Thank you Leah…nothing pleases me more than when you guys get inspired and feel you’ve come on a journey with me…
      Yes, inspiration and beauty is everywhere…

      Ha. Missoni 2013, but you know it could also be Missoni 1982…. Missoni is timeless, right???
      For their 50th anniversary they had a fashion show at the Victoria & Albert museum. They showed key pieces from every year since 1953… I swear, you could have still worn every single piece. Their stuff never dates!!! xx

  • Reply Nicola August 21, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    Amazing photos Tina, incredible how it’s all left behind with the vegetation coming through. Love that green colour with the rust and great to see how it’s being used for climbing.

    The only place I’ve seen with a similar feeling is the High Line but that was landscaped whereas this is nature taking its own course.

    I wonder if it has been used as a backdrop for any films, will have to do more reading up!

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 8:14 am

      Thanks Teanadgee:)

      I know what blew my mind is the juxtaposition of vegetation and industrial all happily living together in this place. The other thing was to see a community that visits regularly.
      I chatted to a guy who was there with his wife and 2 young children. He told me he grew up round the corner so knew the steel works when still in operation and has been visiting the park since it first opened. Now he takes his kids. Great!!

      High Line??? Tell me more!

      Yes, I’m sure it’s being used for all sorts. While there this turkish band was recording their latest single’s video. There’s a huge outdoor cinema and no doubt bits and pieces get hired out… xx

  • Reply Holly August 21, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    You truly are Ms. Colourliving! And an expert pattern spotter at that! Tina, I LOVE every single image. The mix of nature and these industrial remains, just amazing. I agree with Geraldine, you really captured the essence of this place. That or your photo skills and eye for beauty make it look even better! I bet everyone who sees this post will want to pay Landschaftspark a visit. I know I do 😉

    GREAT post! Can’t wait to see what you have for us on Thursday. Xx.

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 8:18 am

      Oh, love being called Ms Colourliving!! And an expert pattern spotter too!!! x

      No no no, the real thing is far more spectacular and my pictures don’t do it justice, really!!!

      Holly, as it’s about 2-3 hours drive from Frankfurt, maybe you can pay a visit before you move back to Berlin. Also September would be a great month to visit and take a stroll. You’ll thank me for it, it’s truly unique!! xx

  • Reply Chi@106 August 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    What a fantastic spot, Tina – how clever of them to marry history and leisure; nature and Man-made! I love all your pattern-and-shape photography and yes, I spotted Missoni instantly too! 😀

    This would NEVER take off in the UK. Can you imagine all the Health and Safety red tape?

    It does look incredible at night – like a sci-fi movie set. Looking forward to your next instalment! 😀 x

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 8:22 am

      Chi, I would have been surprised if you didn’t spot the Missoni:)

      I know, nature and man-made… what a perfect marriage, right?

      Ha. You know that the Krauts are far worst beaurocrats and am sure they have their Health and Safety all in check. I just think the British are a bit more lazy and would get themselves into trouble!!

      I must return at night. You know it’s only 15 mins from my friends I go and stay with regularly. Not sure why they haven’t taken me there before… I had words with them:))
      I will check out the open air cinema and night effects and report back xx

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily August 22, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Wow-your shots are inspirational lovley. What a gem of a place-thank goodness you did have your camera with you. The night shots just scream Hollywood. LOVE it! xx

    • Reply tina August 31, 2012 at 8:23 am

      Thanks lovely xx

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