Porta Nigra, Trier (GER)

project “Trier | Surroundings Porta Nigra” restricted open space planning competition in accordance with VOF 2009 and RPW 2008 awarding authority Stadt Trier planning WW+ architektur + management sàrl, Esch/Alzette (LUX) – terra.nova Landschaftsarchitektur, Munich (GER) project size 3,3 ha restricted competition 3rd prize

“We want to demonstrate respect for it, this imperatorial city of Helena and Konstantin, and we want to enter it through its ceremonial gate, for sure one of the most ceremonial gates in the world, through the Porta Nigra, the roman gate, having become dark and black from the weather of two millenniums.” [Cit. Johannes Kirschweng]

Feeling time - Porta Nigra versus Alleenring

Impressed by the complex historical development of the old town of Trier, especially around the world cultural heritage Porta Nigra, we would like to lead back this place of historical significance to a new, generous, urban context. Here the spatial perceptibility and the spectacular coulisse impact of the gate take centre. The aim of the design is to expose the public space near the Porta Nigra and to make it completely accessible on all sides. A differentiation of the “field and city side” of the gate is naturally created through the urban surroundings. While the “city side” generates per se a constructional influenced space situation due to the closed facades, the edges of the square at both sides of the Porta Nigra are created by the green volumes of the Alleenring, which has now also be completed at its east side.

- little substantial and noticeable is necessary to define the character of the urban space

An important part of the conception is to achieve – with the means of art – a continuous concept for experiencing the historic tracks, the visible as well as the hidden ones, and to combine history with today’s art to a new quality. Apart from the existing elements of reminiscence like the “Römerstraße” or the historical wall fragment of the “Simeontor” itself, a superordinate information system leads the visitor through the single stations of the surroundings of the Porta Nigra. An important part of the conception is to achieve – with the means of art – a continuous concept for experiencing the historic tracks, the visible as well as the hidden ones, and to combine history with today’s art to a new quality. Apart from the existing elements of reminiscence like the “Römerstraße” or the historical wall fragment of the “Simeontor” itself, a superordinate information system leads the visitor through the single stations of the surroundings of the Porta Nigra.

Materiality, texture and colour

The intended function of the surroundings of the Porta Nigra as a city entrance and its multifunctional usability require a calm, consistent but independent characteristic of the materiality. Therefore we suggest for the urban soil homogeneous flagging with light brown colour, e.g. Travertine or lime stone. Special places and elements will be accentuated by a specific surface finish like ribbing (e.g. “tracing of the Römerstraße”) or own materiality (e.g. brass inlays, brass info-pins, etc.). The floor cover reaches from the Margaretengässchen to the Simeonstiftsplatz and integrates there the new designed square.
In a clear contrast to this is the Alleenring. As an independent and three-dimensional green volume it gets a definitely park-like and vegetal arrangement. The Alleenring traces precisely the area of the historic city wall and will be completed by significant specimen trees with an undergrowth of grasses and blooming bushes.