Façade greening and open space redesign Musikbunker 2025
Ground-based façade greening and enhancement of the surroundings
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Occasion and goal
As part of the "Zukunft Forst" urban development process to make the district areas in Forst more attractive and liveable, the upgrading of the bunker and its surroundings was a key concern of local residents.
In this context, the building management was commissioned to plan the greening of the façade in the direction of Zeppelinstraße, including the redesign of the bunker's forecourt.
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Four multi-stem trees will soon dominate the forecourt design in addition to the extensive greenery on the façade.
Facade greening as a pilot project
For the first time, the city of Aachen has implemented ground-based façade greening on a public building.
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Benches
Planning and parties involved
The planning was carried out by the Building Management, Sustainable Building Department in cooperation with E18 and with the involvement of the tenant Musikverein and the Forst steering group.
External advice on the vegetation and maintenance concept was provided by building greening planner and ecologist Nils van Steenis.
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Plant selection: 560 plants from 15 species
The basis for greening is a varied and biodiverse selection of plants.
- Climbing plants: climbing hydrangea, wild vine
- Accompanying greenery: ground cover, perennials, solitary shrubs such as rock pear, snowball, blood plum
- Raised beds: with robust perennials such as sage, coneflower and autumn anemone
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Planting in the bed and on the façade
Redesign of the open space
The overall package of environmental improvements includes
- Creation of recreational areas on the forecourt of the bunker using raised beds with wooden seats
- Installation of an electricity and water connection for use at neighborhood festivals, etc.
- Illumination of the façade greenery via ground spotlights to reduce anxiety zones (implementation with support from the Lichtverein and Regionetz)
- Moving the glass containers to a more inconspicuous location
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Floor lights make the unique façade visible in the evening.
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Enough space has been preserved so that neighborhood festivals can take place on the forecourt.
Maintenance and costs
The building management takes care of watering, maintenance and pruning. The electricity and water costs are borne by the neighborhood management.
Implementation will take place in fall 2025.
The cost of the greening - excluding lighting and maintenance - is around €37,000.
Antonia Knop, City of Aachen
Water and electricity are used to irrigate the green area and are available for neighborhood festivals.
Construction site photos
Antonia Knop, City of AachenDuring the construction work, the flowerbed edging will be installed.
Antonia Knop, City of AachenEarthworks and replacement of the drainage pipes in need of repair