Urban regeneration of the village centre of Neuhaus, Eschenbach

The village centre of Neuhaus (Eschenbach, SG), which is currently used predominantly for commercial purposes, has significant development potential in terms of high-quality infill development and is therefore being redeveloped into an attractive centre that fosters a sense of identity. Building on the concept study, a feasible synthesis plan is being drawn up to serve as a guiding framework for future project planning and as a basis for decision-making by the municipality. Two major landownership entities are situated alongside a strong public interest and the St Jakob Chapel, a protected cultural heritage site of cantonal significance. The fundamental ideas for the village’s layout are distilled into clear guiding principles: a compact village quarter reflects the historically evolved structure of the clustered villages typical of the region.

The deliberately irregular layout creates dynamic, interesting spaces, clearly defined locations, as well as communal courtyards and private gardens; simple structures with gabled roofs blend naturally into the village’s characteristic roofscape. Along the bustling Rickenstrasse, the village centre is clearly defined by building edges that shape the space and public-oriented uses, and is connected to the new bus stop. St Jakob’s Chapel remains a defining landmark, with its open chapel garden and the spatially defined village square at the historic crossroads. On the southern edge, a fine-meshed network of paths, open courtyard structures and gardens bridge the gap between the built-up area and the surrounding countryside.