center development strass

new center for strass
guiding idea
strass, historically a linear village, is given a central square of a size it has never had before. together with the central section of the main street, this creates a “new center” — one that nevertheless retains the intimate scale and rural character of the village.

main street
along the main street, flowering ash trees are planted. their tree pits are filled with grasses, evergreen perennials, and groundcovers. these planting areas are oriented across, not parallel to the street, to reduce the visual emphasis on the roadway and enhance a sense of place. where the topography allows — given the significant cross-slope between both sides of the street — the sidewalk and carriageway are built level, seamlessly merging into one continuous surface.
sidewalks are paved with slabs of blue-green carat natural stone, while the carriageway is asphalted with an aggregate of the same stone, providing subtle visual continuity. at four locations, benches and chairs offer seating beneath the trees; however, the new square is expected to become the main meeting and gathering area for residents.

main square
this southward-sloping meeting zone is shaped by a subtle topography. in front of the café and patisserie, a level terrace is formed with stepped seating facing south. visitors sit beneath the shade of linden trees. further north, a slightly sunken plaza inset — surfaced with bound gravel — lies under a canopy of hackberry trees. the natural slope of the ground creates low seating edges; benches beneath the trees invite people to linger.
to the southwest, in front of the rectory, a small garden plateau forms a quiet green space. below the café terrace, a playful water feature with fountains becomes a lively attraction for children and enhances the microclimate during warmer months.
to the south, the main square is framed by a distinctive yet lightweight architectural structure — “the butterfly” — whose variable geometry allows multiple uses and provides a sheltered space for markets, concerts, and public events. its forecourt can accommodate up to 200 people, with additional seating available beneath the tree canopy, on the café terrace, and on the garden plateau. the paving throughout the square uses the same blue-green carat stone as the main street, ensuring visual continuity.

materials, furnishings, lighting
the natural stone paving on sidewalks and across the square consists of blue-green carat stone (15×40×8 cm), laid in sand. the asphalt of the carriageway contains an aggregate of the same stone and is finished with a grinding technique to expose the texture of the split surface.
street seating consists of grouped arrangements — double and single chairs — whose exact placement and quantity will be coordinated with the municipality and residents. on the square, the café terrace uses its own furniture; beneath the trees, double-sided benches are proposed. the stepped seating below the terrace can be fitted with timber surfaces as needed. the garden plateau includes a generous table-and-bench ensemble; near the water feature, rotating chairs are placed around a bladder-nut tree. two swing benches stand near the western façade niche, while in front of the red cross building, individual and paired chairs provide casual seating.

for lighting, slender mast-mounted fixtures by bega are proposed, with pole heights adapted to context — higher along the main street, 4 m within the square. four hackberry trees and two bladder-nut trees are highlighted with ground-mounted accent lighting.

planting concept
the selected, climate-resilient trees are intended to establish a strong local identity. along the main street, white-flowering ash trees create a light and cheerful atmosphere. at the square’s entrance, two hackberry trees — part of a group of six — mark the beginning of the meeting zone and provide shade. in the café garden, guests sit beneath linden trees. in the southern square area, three bladder-nut trees with bright yellow blossoms become vivid focal points. in the western building niche, two multi-stemmed serviceberry trees offer striking autumn color.
tree pits are planted with evergreen groundcovers and grasses, while the slopes of the café terrace and garden plateau feature resilient wild perennials and grasses. the garden plateau is conceived as a lush, ever-changing plant composition that transforms throughout the seasons.

climate resilience
the sidewalks and main square follow the sponge city principle: natural stone surfaces are laid with permeable joints to allow infiltration and reuse of rainwater. all newly planted trees are provided with large retention spaces for optimal water storage. the canopy of hackberry trees provides shading, while the diverse tree selection strengthens ecological resilience and biodiversity.

the butterfly – a symbol for strass in styria
a delicate steel structure with a partially translucent, partially greened roof forms a sheltered area for markets, performances, and community gatherings. it protects two timber volumes housing storage, changing rooms, and an accessible public restroom, while defining the southern edge of the new main square.
like the motion of a butterfly’s wings, one section of the roof can open or close: when open, it signals to residents and visitors that an event or market is taking place. on the upper side of the closed wing, announcements of upcoming events are displayed. during summer, open-air films and lectures are projected onto it, while in closed mode it shelters the wooden pavilions.
when the roof is open, fold-out tables can be extended from the timber façades for market use. when used as a stage, the space between the storage and restroom can be enclosed to create a solid backdrop wall, with a small backstage area behind. integrated lighting within the roof structure creates atmospheric illumination for evening events and the christmas market.
urbanistically, the butterfly provides the necessary space for a generous audience area and forms the southern spatial closure of the new main square. functionally, it acts as a hybrid — stage, play structure, resting place, and shaded canopy — all in one. delivery access to the café remains possible. the planted rear façade screens the square from adjacent parking areas.