The town of Steinheim an der Murr is planning a new town hall that will bring the entire municipal administration together in a single, centrally located building. The aim of the design competition was to develop an urban solution with future-oriented ideas—particularly for the redesign of the marketplace and the refurbishment of the listed building on Badtorstraße.

Our open-space design creates vibrant, inviting public realms that weave together city, water and nature in a contemporary interplay. At the heart of the concept lies the new town hall, which opens generously towards the redesigned marketplace with arcaded façades. These arcades form a welcoming gesture and highlight the communicative role of the square as the urban centrepiece. Old and new structures are seamlessly connected through a continuous high-quality paving, clear sightlines and a defining row of trees to the north, giving the space structure without compromising its openness.
A flush water feature, incorporating the restored fountain column as a central design element, offers a modern interpretation of the traditional market fountain—now a lively meeting point with strong appeal. The connection to the river Murr is strengthened by curved seating steps and softly landscaped paths that bring the river back into the urban experience. The square thus becomes a threshold between urban life and landscape.
To enhance the quality of stay, visitor parking is placed discreetly at the rear of the site, keeping the marketplace free of cars and dedicated entirely to pedestrians, cyclists and public life. In the southeast, a multifunctional platform extends slightly over the Murr, providing a flexible space for events, gatherings or market activities.