Luxembourg turns into Design City

(CS) The Grand Duchy's capital will explore new ways forward for urban and public space design this spring, as “Kinnekswiss” park hosts several innovative new features, while experts share their insights at a series of talks and other events.

If you head to the Luxembourg City park these days you will quickly spot a new swing-set at the top of “Kinnekswiss”. The feature was designed by Paris architecture collective Encore Heureux and forms part of Design City Luxembourg.

More than just an interactive plaything, the swing-set explores the issue of the so-called Earth Overshoot Day – the day on which humanity's consumption of natural resources exceeds the planet's capacity to regenerate these resources every year.

In 2013, Earth Overshoot Day was on August 20.

An example of educational architecture, the swing-set aims at rethinking the use of public space, similar to a new set of bins on  “Kinnekswiss”, designed by Wakup.

Following a survey among park users, gardeners and other experts, the design studio came to the conclusion that the metal bins with plastic bags were one of the most disturbing features of the lawn.

The solution – heavier bins that are less easy to topple over with a mirrored exterior, allowing them to blend in with their natural environment, reflecting the green grass and flowers all around. They can also be used as football goals with a detachable net.

Easy to miss but another Design City project is “Pile ou Face” by design studio Maurice + Paula. Wander along the park's paths and every time you reach a crossing take a look at the ground. A graffiti will ask you to throw a coin, with the outcome – face (heads) or pile (tails) – determining the way forward.

Elsewhere in the capital, the construction site fence at the “Cour des Comptes” near Place d'Armes has received a revamp by students at "Lycée Aline Mayrisch", who developed a new font and created a poetic display under the title “How to do things with words”.

The outdoor exhibitions continues until June 15, with more Design City events on the programme until then.

Among them is an English-language lecture on transport design at modern art museum Mudam in Kirchberg on April 23, starting 6.30pm. Further lectures, talks and workshops will follow over the coming weeks, as well as more indoor exhibitions at Mudam, the Cercle Cité, Forum da Vinci and Château de Bourglinster.

Several shops in the capital will also host special exhibitions, with a fresh approach to design and the impact it has on our everyday lives.

For the full programme of events visit designcity.lu and don't forget to head to “Kinnekswiss” when the sun's out.