The client and planners in the Chinese quarry were able to personally convince themselves of the high quality of the material and processing. In addition, compliance with ecological and economic standards played just as important a role as human rights: “We have had ourselves certified on site that there is no child labor”, Mänder affirmed the importance of this aspect. On top of that, a geologist supervised the removal and preparation of the stones on behalf of the municipality. For example, all edges were worked on by hand in order to avoid later repulsions at the edges when the closely jointed installation was carried out.

The landscape architects Planstatt Senner from Überlingen and Ernst & Partner from Trier were commissioned to plan and design the inner city area. A total of 11,000 m² of granite stones in sizes from 8 x 8 to 33 x 66 cm were used, which, according to the planners, should look like a carpet for the good room of the city.

This effect was achieved by laying house facade to house facade, the different formats and, above all, through a special processing of the yellow-gray stones: two thirds are bush hammered, one third was flamed. Because the use of the flamethrower emphasizes the color and glimmering effect of the granite, the result is an attractive and lively look.

Quality and aesthetics in harmony

Special accents are set in Marktstrasse, the location of the beautiful Art Nouveau town hall, and in the upper suburb, narrow water channels as historical references. They are laid out with dark gray granite, which was also used for the benches. Apart from the sparse furniture with benches and a few sculptures, nothing obscures the effect of the elegant pavement.

A sculpture donated by BESCO for the pedestrian zone is evidence of the optimal cooperation of all those involved: two curved granite steles between which a Chinese inscription can be admired. A stainless steel sign provides the translation: “When friends come from afar, you are happy,” says Confucius.