Office for Living Architecture

The market square in Schwäbisch Gmünd forms the lively heart of the historic city center. As a central hub with a bus stop and numerous pedestrian paths, it is a highly frequented location that many people pass through every day. The plan is to transform the existing bus shelter into an inviting gathering place and to add green spaces to the market square, which have been lacking until now.

Instead of traditional benches and street furniture, a topography is created that blends into the square as seating areas and offers a variety of uses. A spacious canopy provides shelter from the rain. Above it, tree canopies spread out, their trunks eventually growing together with the roof’s supports.

The resulting microclimate ensures a high level of comfort year-round: In summer, the dense tree canopies provide welcome shade and keep temperatures pleasantly cool. In winter, however, the bare branches let the sunlight through.

The northern end of the market square is thus transformed into a versatile place to linger — open, inviting, and accessible to everyone, all year round.