Karlsruhe Passagehof becomes a movie screen

The Passagehof in Karlsruhe is about to undergo a creative transformation. As part of the further development of the courtyard into a pedestrian zone and the planned upgrading of the public space, an artistic floor painting is to become the visual highlight. This project was inspired by the positive response to the "Platz für mehr" real-world laboratory last year.

From September 1, 2023, the Passagehof will be officially rededicated as a pedestrian zone and, thanks to a generous private donation, will receive new seating and additional greenery to invite visitors to linger. The floor of the Passagehof will become a living canvas.

Room for more creativity

The Passagehof is already known for its cultural facilities such as the Kinemathek, the Art Institute and soon also the jazz club. With the planned floor design, the creative character of the Passagehof can also be experienced in the public space. In order to find the best concept, the city of Karlsruhe invited five talented designers and artists from the region to contribute their ideas.

Citizens and a jury decide

From July 21 to August 11, 2023, the submitted designs will be exhibited both on site in the Passagehof and online on the City of Karlsruhe's participation portal. During this period, all citizens will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite and thus have a say in the outcome of the competition and the final floor painting. The decision will be made in mid-August by a jury consisting of representatives from the city administration, the citizens' association and IG Zentrale Kaiserstrasse.

The temporary floor painting is planned for October 2023 and will remain in place until the Passagehof is redesigned or further developed, probably from 2026.

From real laboratory to redesign

The Passagehof was already the venue for the real-world laboratory in 2022 "Space for more", which was part of the project "Public space and mobility in the city center" took place. During this trial period, various measures were taken to improve the quality of stay. These included restricting through traffic for cars, removing parking spaces and installing plant troughs, seating and a stage. During this period, cultural events were also held to actively involve citizens.

With the competition for the graphic floor painting, the city of Karlsruhe is taking a further step towards making the Passagehof a place of encounter and creative exchange in the city center.

The City of Karlsruhe is looking forward to further creative ideas and measures for the development of the neighborhoods. Further information on the project "City Transformation" project, the neighborhood budgets and the rental model can be found at www.karlsruhe.de/city-transformation .