Baden-Württemberg Landscape Architecture Prize 2024: competition decided

The competition for the Baden-Württemberg Landscape Architecture Prize 2024 has been decided. It goes to the project “The new green corridor north-east – Mannheim connects”. In addition to the first prize, the special prize for “Sustainability and climate adaptation in urban areas” and awards in various categories were also presented.

Following its launch in 2022, the competition has now been held for the second time under the patronage of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Regional Development and Housing. It recognizes creatively designed landscapes and open spaces in Baden-Württemberg that are based on an innovative and sustainable planning approach. Cities face challenges in dealing with the increasingly scarce resource “landscape”. In addition, there are requirements such as growth and redensification, contemporary living, working and mobility concepts as well as species and resource protection, especially in the wake of climate change. The profession of landscape architect plays an important role in this approach. Their fields of work and expertise are also highlighted, as well as their special responsibility towards the environment, the courage to experiment, their collaboration with planners and “young” landscape architecture projects.

On November 24, 2023, the jurors, led by jury chairman Timo Herrmann, landscape architect at the bdla, assessed 18 different projects that were nominated in the first round of judging. The Baden-Württemberg regional association of the Association of German Landscape Architects (bdla) published the nominations at the end of July 2023. First place went to “The new green corridor north-east – Mannheim connects”. The design was created by RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten, Bonn / Cologne / Hamburg / Mannheim / Berlin.

The green corridor creates a place for exercise and relaxation that is accessible to all. In the new park space, the focus is on the characteristics of the biostructures, isolated core habitats are connected with each other. In addition, typical local species will be recolonized and isolated populations of rare species will be exchanged. While the open space concept places great emphasis on nature, water, biodiversity, ecology and agriculture, aesthetics and design are not neglected. In the course of the 2023 Federal Horticultural Show in Mannheim, the city had already intensively examined which important open space corridors should be kept free in the future. With the withdrawal of American forces, there was an opportunity to keep the north-east green corridor from the inner-city Luisenpark across the Neckar to the Vogelstangsee lakes free as a fish air corridor.

An audience award was also determined in a public online vote from August 16 to November 24. There were also more awards in various categories:

• “Audience Award”
  Fischkinderstube, Edingen-Neckarhausen, by IUS Theobald Plus GmbH, Heidelberg

This is an approximately 1.3-hectare tributary connected to the Neckar downstream. It restores a lost area to nature and offers a place for visitors to meet and experience nature. A hedge of shrubs on the bank also creates calm zones for wildlife. Shortly after it was connected to the Neckar, the new side water was accepted by numerous fish species and is also supported by an association of local fishing clubs.

• Special prize “Sustainability and climate adaptation in urban areas”
  Ecsite, Heilbronn, by freiraumconcept sinz-beerstecher+böpple Landschaftsarchitekten PartGmbB, Rottenburg, Stuttgart

In Heilbronn, inner-city forest structures are part of the strategy for climate-adapted urban development. On the Theresienwiese fairground, a forest-like structure of 72 trees, 83 shrubs and around 2,500 perennials was created on an area of 800 square meters. There are also seating islands and fog columns. The grove makes a major contribution to cooling, air pollution control and CO2 sequestration.

• Category “Urban development, green-blue infrastructure and monument protection”
  Garden Show Eppingen 2022, Eppingen, by Planorama Landscape Architecture Maik Böhmer, Berlin

As part of the garden show, a park was created for visitors that, in addition to its proximity to the city center, offers a wide variety of designs and uses. In its sustainable concept, green structures are brought to life, access to water is created and impulses for quality of life are set.

• Category “Commercial, residential and working environment”
  Pfaffengrunder Terrace, Heidelberg, by capattistaubach urbane landschaften, Berlin

As the winner of a realization competition for the Pfaffengrunder Terasse, the office planned a city square with a hall of trees. The concept combines the archetypes of park and square. Multifunctional sub-areas offer a variety of uses and elements: a sunken city clearing with lawns and space for expansive offerings, seating, a water feature, a play area, urban gardening areas, traffic integration and much more.

• Category “Health, education, leisure, play and sport”
  Walckerpark, Ludwigsburg, by koeber Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, Stuttgart

In the Walckerpark area, a parking lot was converted into a city park. It was important to create attractive open spaces, improve the quality of stay and preserve the valuable tree population. The park also improves the urban climate, creates space for people to meet and is resilient to user pressure and climate change. Instead of parked cars, there are now plants, play areas, a water feature, meadow areas and interesting street furniture.

• Category “Use of plants, roof and façade greening”
  Europaplatz – Stadthallenplatz, Nagold, by freiraumconcept sinz-beerstecher+böpple Landschaftsarchitekten PartGmbB, Rottenburg am Neckar / Stuttgart

The extension of the Stadthalle underground parking garage has created a multi-coded, new urban space. Its sustainable design gives the city a green space with a positive effect on the urban climate. The three urban groves that characterize the square integrate openings in the underground car park. This creates a pleasant atmosphere – both inside the garage and outside, on green islands and seating areas.

On April 16, 2024, the awards will be presented at a festive awards ceremony at the Hospitalhof Stuttgart.

Read all about the winner of the “Urban Development, Green-Blue Infrastructure and Monument Protection” category, the Eppingen 2022 Garden Show, here.