The beautifully restored and converted residential and commercial building in Utting (see p. 17) is complemented by an equally impressive landscape design. Working closely with architects Sunder-Plassmann, the landscape architecture firm Klakquadrat—led by André Hellberg—created a cohesive concept that honors the historic department store's revival. The scope was ambitious: transform two decades of overgrown neglect into a flourishing garden worthy of the building's new chapter.

The design began with the forecourt—that critical threshold between pavement and facade. A 3-meter-wide green strip was raised 8 centimeters and articulated with hand-formed brick and reclaimed granite slabs. The large stone pieces were rotated to echo the diamond motifs on the facade and positioned at each entrance. Behind the building, the landscape transitions seamlessly into the neighboring meadow through native grass seeding, while the entire garden functions almost as a public park. Gravel areas are threaded with narrow brick pathways leading to the rear entrance and four residential units, each marked with a granite slab. This thoughtful integration fosters a genuine sense of community ownership.

Low-maintenance elegance and visual appeal were the owners' core objectives for the 1,300 m² site. The landscape architect introduced circular steel planter beds—discrete islands distributed throughout the garden and ringed by 30 to 40 centimeter steel frames. These beds overflow with floral abundance: English roses, multicolored bulbs, peonies, and extended-season perennials like Geranium Rozanne and catmint.

Along the back boundary, the Uttinger Mühlbach stream marks the property edge. While technically municipal land, the developers have embraced stewardship of the stream bank's ecological health. Tall riparian perennials frame the waterside, while sculpted yew hedges create an intriguing visual narrative along the bank edge. In the front courtyard, a modest terrace—paved with remaining granite slabs—offers the architectural office staff a retreat where they can work in sunshine or rest beneath the broad canopy of a multi-stemmed plane tree.

www.klakquadrat.de

Photography Credits:

André Hellberg

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|21)