Redesigned entryway transforms into an open-air garden: artists breathe life into a new dimension
Freilicht.nord Garden Unveils Stunning New Entrance Design
The Freilicht.nord garden in Dortmund, Germany, has undergone a transformation with the unveiling of a new entrance design. Artists Hans Ostapenko and architect Viktor Prokhorov have collaborated to create a "walk-in niche" that serves as a meeting place, seamlessly blending elements of art, architecture, and nature.
The new entrance, located at Bleichstraße 61, features a gate made from repurposed old steel parts, a process Ostapenko refers to as "artistic upcycling." The floral forms of the gate harmoniously fit the garden, while the steel creates an exciting contrast.
The gate stands for openness and encounter, inviting people to come closer to the garden instead of marking a border to the neighborhood. A niche was created in the entrance area, featuring a bench where passersby can take a break and look into the garden interior.
The Freilicht.nord garden, previously a wasteland, is now a cultural and natural meeting place in the Innenstadt-Nord district. The project was made possible with funding from the District Council of the Innenstadt-Nord district.
Visitors to the garden can also explore the history of the gate's creation at the associated 'Alter Kiosk' studio house. The exhibition space documents the development and artistic collaboration involved in the project.
Hans Ostapenko is an artist who explores territorial power structures, borders, and order systems, particularly in relation to humans, architecture, and landscape. Viktor Prokhorov is an architect with a focus on conceptual architecture and practical experience in developing creative building concepts, including interior design.
The creation of the gate and the small niche was a challenging process involving bending, forming, welding, and polishing, made possible by the steelworker Ulrich Göbel and Simon Jost's experience. In 2023, the new gate was inaugurated, honoring the volunteers' commitment to the Freilicht.nord project, which began in 2020.
Jürgen Pomowski and Martin Gansau were honored with the Northside Angels award for their contributions to Freilicht.nord in 2023, with Gansau receiving the award posthumously. Special events, such as the big summer festival celebrating the 5-year anniversary of the garden on September 6, 2025, will also offer opportunities to visit the garden and the exhibition.
For more information and updates related to Freilicht.nord, visit the website www.atelierhaus-alterkiosk.de or follow Freilicht.nord on Instagram: freilicht.nord. The garden and the exhibition can still be visited every Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM until September.
At the newly transformed Freilicht.nord garden, art and lifestyle unite through the creative use of repurposed steel in the stunning new entrance, designed by artists Hans Ostapenko and architect Viktor Prokhorov. Within the home-and-garden setting, the gate serves as both an artistic masterpiece and a welcoming invitation to the garden, also housing a cozy niche where visitors can take a break and enjoy the surrounding nature.
