Pavilion Madelaine and Parc Ourbett in Kayl
Pavilion Madelaine:
The “Pavilion Madelaine” and the newly designed “Park Ouerbett” built together the new centre of the
community of Kayl-Tétange, located in the south of the grand duchy of Luxembourg, close-by the
industrial quarter Esch-sur-Alzette.
The building is arranged at the intersection point of the north-south trail and the loop road of the park
and attracts not only the visitors of the park with its exterior and interior structure. With its basic
dimensions of 10 x 22 x 4,5 m it fits harmonically in the park structure. The structural concept relies on a
pillar-girder construction, which is based on an insulated bottom slab. The pillars are arranged in a grid
of 2 x 2 m and hold the 10 m long IPE400-girders. All steelwork parts are screwed.
The transparent post-and-rail-façade has been equipped with sun shading glass. A corten-steel façade
covers the volume in its artless and simple cubature, which is interrupted by several glass cuttings of
storey height. The pre-located terrace in the south with its barbecue station and about 40 seats defines
also the entrance and leads the visitor through a glass door directly into the building. There we find a
restaurant with another 40 seats. Harmonious materials as well as a generous room height in the
restaurant area offer the visitor a high quality of stay. The unadorned walls contrast with the black steel
chimney construction, the representative wine cupboard and the bar made of the same material. The 3
elements emphasize the clear lines of the pavilion and bring its outer robustness inside. In contrast to this
but at the same time harmonising with these elements, the parquet floor and the 3 gold-coloured
suspended lamps offer a warm and comfortable atmosphere, which is especially in the winter
supported by the fire in the chimney.
The restaurant has a generous professional kitchen and a sanitary block for guests and employees. The
show cooking concept has been developed with the collaboration of Lea Linster, carrier of the
restaurant and a well-known cook far beyond the borders of Luxembourg. This concept offers not only a
taste experience to the gastronomy enthusiast but also an impressive visual introduction into the artistic
preparation of the meals. All entrances of the pavilion as well as its inner life are designed barrier-free.
Minimized connection details and installations hidden in the ceiling and in the walls create neutral and
silent rooms.
Due to the high demands on the outer casing of the building, e.g. vandalism resistance and harmonious
integration into its green surrounding area, great importance has been attached to the materiality and
function of the façade. The building shell ensures the integration into the park and an improvement of
the artless and simple building geometry. By the usage of steel the cultural heritage of the southern steel
industry is enforced. The material impresses with its sustainability during utilization and is completely
recyclable. Moreover it protects the interior zone from vandalism and damages can be easier revised.
The multi-purpose usability of the material, which can also be found in the design of the park, is
inimitable. In this way a strong connection of the building to the surrounding open space is created,
thus strengthening the identity of the park.
The chosen vertical subdivision of the façade enables an interesting play between windows and closed
parts. The window areas are protected at night by slotted folded elements made of corten-steel. In
addition to the ambiance lighting of the park the open or closed folded elements cause a fascinating
light effect and diversified staging.
The energetic concept of the pavilion complies with today’s technical requirements. The controlled
fresh air, which completely exchanges the indoor air ten times per hour, is passed into the restaurant via
long range blast pipes. The elements of the kitchen equipment, like e.g. the refrigerators, are
energetically on the highest technical level. Green covering of the roof, solar cells, heat pump and
area collectors are only some of the keywords, which round the sustainable master plan of the building.
Parc Ourbett:
Architectural concept
The ‘Kayldall’ follows the ‘Kaylbach’ in North-South direction, from the centre of Kayl to Tétange. The
park Ouerbett is the Northern boundary of the green connection. As a public urban space it represents
the green middle of Kayl. In the West there’s access to the ’Gehaansbierg’ and the nature reserve
‘Haardt’. In the East there’s the road to Esch, the ‘Bromeschbierg’ and to the areaaround the
‘Gaalgenbierg’ and the ‘Terres Rouges’.
The essential parameters of the design are the preservation of the existing trees and groves, the
definition of the park borders, the integration of the requested utilisations as well as the accentuation of
the entrance areas and the transition areas to the town and the countryside.
Description of the project
The new structure of the park is on the one hand affected by the Kaylbach (running from north to south)
and the paralleling trail as well as on the other hand by the new loop road, to which the main functions
of the park are affiliating. While the north-south trail has rather a developing function (e.g. to the new
pavilion) or also a connecting function (e.g. as cycle track to Tétange), the loop road meanders
through the park and invites to dander and rest.
The margin towards the park gets a clear green edge (as spatial frame) in form of hornbeam hedges.
The bundling of development and layover at the margins allows leaving the centre open. Utilizations like
e.g. a playground with assigned seating-accommodations for different age groups or a small playing
field provide a large choice. The loop road additionally frames a large grass plot, which can be used as
grass playground and relaxing lawn as well as for festivals and events in the park. Perennial herb beds in
diversified colours and sizes function as crossing from this road to the open lawn. Openness and
wideness in the green frame are standing for the not purposive utilization of the “flowing through” grass
areas. The Kaylbach is also flowing through this park centre, thus giving it a particular atmosphere. The
other side of the creek can be reached by crossing one of two drivable bridges (max. 3,5 tons) in the
north and the south. There are small stopover areas close to the park entrances, which are staged by
appropriate light fittings during the evening hours. Light steles on the small places at the two main
entrances (from the Rue du Moulin in the north and from the Rue de Tétange in the south) offer an
inviting entrée. They are part of an adjusted lighting concept with effect illumination of the bridges, the
water inflow and two big trees near the Pavilion.
The Pavilion Madelaine, one of the most important functions in the park, is located at the intersection
point of the loop road and the north-south trail. Seat steps in front of the Pavilion allow for direct access
and contact with the water of the Kaylbach, whose quality has been revaluated by cleaning and minor
improvement measures at the banks.
