Village centre Schëtter

Our project "Néien Duerfkär Schëtter" won the second place in the European competition launched by the municipality of Schuttrange. It combines landscape, mobility and health with a balanced social framework for current and future generations.

The project foresees the creation of a new square, facing the church, in the heart of the village. The goal is to make it a meeting place for neighbors, an attractive and lively place with water games for children and an open pavilion with a podium for a musical atmosphere. It will be a place that invites people to stay, to sit on the terraces and listen to the music of the pavilion, watch the children play or watch the bikes go by. The plaza will also be an access point to all public buildings and the crossing space for pedestrian and bicycle paths.

As the identity of the village is closely linked to music and culture in general, the new Cultural Center frames the southwest side of the square. Natural materials such as wood, glass and ceramic elements will be used in the composition of the façade to give it a dynamic movement effect, reflecting the character of the community. The building is supported on a base that forms a continuation of the partially covered public space. A weekly market with the sale of local products, festive events, shows and many other activities can be held here. A small café is located in an adjoining building, connected to the Cultural Center by this space partially covered by a canopy.

The municipal administration remains in the current main building – the part of the north administration building that is under architectural protection. The building to the south will be demolished and its offices moved. This makes it possible to group all the functions of the municipal administration in one building, respectively in two interconnected buildings. An extension is thus planned at the back of the north building. The access to the new part is provided by a low connection construction, emerging towards the square, and generating a new central reception space between the two buildings.

The removal of the south administration building facilitates access to the playground. The space is completed by a new covered pavilion area. Here the children can enjoy various activities, creative workshops, sports etc. The playground will have greater visibility through the village center.

A new cottage in durable construction will be built for the Beaver Scouts, still in the same location so that members can enjoy the large orchard nearby. A space for tents and tree houses are also planned. A covered terrace will allow the organization of various events and activities. Next to it, a pavilion will be added for bicycle parking.

The Youth Club building will be retained because of its historical value, but will be relocated. From now on, it will be located on the grounds of the old fire station, which will be moved in a second phase of the project.

The cemetery will be expanded and a new mortuary pavilion will be built.
All public buildings will be treated with a similar architectural identity, with the same type of facade and connected with public spaces. The heights will be adapted to the scale of the village and the visibility of the church, which represents a historical reminder and an architectural dominance, will be emphasized.

Housing

The Kier House, which houses two social housing units, will be preserved. A small shop offering local/organic products could be added on the first floor.

Co-housing units will be built in place of the soccer field. They will be surrounded by greenery in which a new petanque court will be created, as well as collective vegetable gardens and a pavilion kiosk.
On the plot of land between the old petanque field and the CR132 road, a residence for seniors will be built, with a medical center and a pharmacy on the first floor. The surrounding greenery is preserved, enriched by an outdoor fitness area. An intergenerational garden shared by seniors and co-housing residents will allow for the exchange of experiences and the creation of intergenerational links.
Other housing will be located to the north of the church. A raised strip of greenery will filter out the noise generated by the adjacent railroad.

Green spaces

A key element of the project is the creation of a green corridor, crossing the entire village center. The green corridor consists of a pedestrian and bicycle path. In addition, the bike path connects to the planned communal bike paths. The green corridor begins near the new co-housing, runs along the senior residence, crosses the new village square, passes in front of the town hall and the monument, to join the existing church path, which will be rehabilitated. Passing through the playground, this green corridor animates the life of the village, encourages intergenerational exchanges between residents and encourages physical activity. The outdoor atmosphere is emphasized by organic forms and small activity areas: public benches, petanque, vegetable gardens, senior sports area, etc. The monument and the commemorative trees are moved and find a privileged place.

The green structure around the cemetery is developed and densified. It joins the green “filter” strip that separates the new housing from the railroad tracks. This ensures harmony with the Natura 2000 bird protection area on the other side of the railroad.

Mobility

In order to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Schuttrange, the project is adapted to the human scale and developed with a mobility concept with a significant hierarchy. Currently the village already benefits from an excellent public transportation connection. It is provided by bus lines and train. The existing shuttle service, the Syri Express, is maintained to ensure the link between the new functions of the village center and other parts of the territory.

The cars pass only on the road CR132. An adapted slow-down zone, with a speed limit of 30 km/h, is marked by speed bumps on both ends.

The open parking lots on the square will be removed and the beautified village center will be reserved for pedestrians and soft mobility. The view of the square and the church will be unobstructed. A large underground public parking lot will be built underneath the Cultural Center. Thanks to the central location of the underground parking lot, the distance to the doctor’s surgery, the pharmacy or the senior citizens’ residence, as well as to the cemetery, is no more than 100 meters.

A lane parallel to the CR132 road will be used as an access lane for deliveries to the cultural center and as a fire access. The entire central area will be a car-free zone.

Once the project is completed, the quality of life for residents will increase significantly. They will have new walking opportunities thanks to the green corridor. Activities for all ages will create opportunities for social interaction and intergenerational exchange. By favouring soft mobility, the place will be safer for children as well. Schuttrange will become a sustainable village that combines landscape, mobility and health with a balanced social framework for present and future generations.