Vaihingen Garden Show, competition decided

On December 15, 2023, the competition for the Vaihingen Garden Show was decided. The open space planning design by one office clearly won over the jury – read more here.

The town of Vaihingen in Baden-Württemberg will host a garden show in 2029. In order to clarify the open space planning, an open space planning and urban development realization competition was held in the second half of 2023. On December 15, 2023, the jury in Vaihingen an der Enz decided to award first prize for the open space planning part to RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten from Bonn. The cooperating office Yellowz was awarded second prize for the urban planning ideas section. The jury, chaired by Prof. Dr. Frank Lohrberg, landscape architect from Stuttgart, voted unanimously for the design by RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten. Aspects such as the local character, youth culture, added value of perception, feasibility, cross-generational offers and a respectful treatment of areas relevant to historical monuments in the context of the city center were used for the evaluation.

A total of seven offices took part in the open, single-stage competition, which was conducted anonymously. The town of Vaihingen an der Enz provided prize money of 157,000 euros. In the next step, the city administration and the prizewinners will now hold negotiations on the further implementation of the project. In late spring 2024, there should be a basis on which the municipal council can make the necessary decisions.

The framework planning for the garden show and the results of the multi-stage public participation in recent years were an important basis for the competition. The leitmotif was the idea of the continuity of the Enz natural space and the adjacent landscape areas. A connection between the old town and the river was also required. The permanent facilities of the garden show are intended to provide a valuable recreational and leisure area for all population groups and ages. The city is also planning to revitalize the River Enz.

The garden show concept by RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten impressed the jury with its comprehensive design full of ideas. The planned permanent installations form the framework for the garden show in 2029 and will also bring a great deal of added value to the city and its population beyond the exhibition year. The concept also enables the city to set up a comprehensive event concept that lives up to the motto “Vaihingen entzückt” (Vaihingen delights).

The winning design proposes developing the green corridor along the River Enz into a coherent local recreation area. Gaps in the open space network are to be integrated. At the same time, the Enz corridor, including the Enz cycle path, is to be linked to the old town. According to RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten, the aim is to create a varied and exciting open space along the River Enz that will provide added value beyond the garden show. This will include the Enzpromenade, a chain of connected spaces, various gardens and a creative quarter.

The offices taking part in the competition were asked to submit various concept and design plans as well as visualizations. The second prize winner was the work of Atelier Loidl Landschaftsarchitekten from Berlin. Studio Wessendorf was awarded first prize for the urban planning ideas section. The 3rd prize went to A24 Landschaftsarchitektur from Berlin with Rheinflügel Severin from Düsseldorf. The jury expressed its delight at the high quality of the entries and the many creative ideas. The submitted works were exhibited to the public in Vaihingen before Christmas.

By the way: Here you can see an overview of the 2024 State Garden Shows.