Hessen

The Hessian Landscape Architecture Prize 2026 to be awarded for the first time!

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The Association of German Landscape Architects (bdla), Hesse Regional Association, presented the Hessian Landscape Architecture Prize for the first time on 23 October 2026. Around 130 guests from the worlds of culture, architecture, politics and the professional community gathered for the awards ceremony at the Maki Forum of the Reinhard Ernst Museum in Wiesbaden. In the two-stage competition process, 39 entries were submitted and 18 projects were shortlisted for the second stage. Awards were presented for outstanding achievements in six categories, as well as two special prizes and an audience award.

With this new award, the bdla Hessen aims to raise the profile of landscape architecture’s achievements and expertise amongst the general public and within the professional community. In his opening address, Chairman Victor Kamphausen emphasised the profession’s unique ability to combine complex spatial, cultural and ecological challenges:

What role should landscape play in our towns and communities in future? It can provide cooling, store water and create habitats. It can bring people together and foster a sense of identity. And – and I consider this absolutely crucial – it can simply be beautiful. For amidst all the technical and ecological requirements, there is one thing we must not forget: landscape architecture is also a cultural discipline. A good public space must be functional. But it must also create atmosphere, appeal to people and, ideally, be remembered for a long time to come.

The award-winning projects demonstrate the diversity of the profession and its contribution to climate-resilient, socially just and ecologically high-quality open spaces. Aspects such as resource conservation, biodiversity, accessibility and inclusion were just as much a focus as design quality and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• bdla Hessen e.V.

• Ulrike Luz

• Michi Schneider

Empfang der Gäste im Foyer • Michi Schneider

• Michi Schneider

Präsentation Alexander Heil Skulpturen • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Nico Kallmeyer, Runge GmbH & Co. KG, Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Präsident bdla Präsident bdla • Michi Schneider

• Michi Schneider

Germaine Mignon Stragies • Michi Schneider

Victor Kamphausen, Vorsitzender bdla Hessen e. V. • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer, Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Steffen Henrich, Alexander Heil • Michi Schneider

Die Förderer • Michi Schneider

Reinhard Ernst • Michi Schneider

Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer • Michi Schneider

Interview v.l.n.r.: Claudia Blaurock, Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Christoph Kluska (Bruns), Germain Mignon Stragies • Ulrike Luz

Interview v.l.n.r.: Claudia Blaurock, Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Christoph Kluska (Bruns), Germain Mignon Stragies • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Claudia Blaurock, Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Christoph Kluska, Bruns-Pflanzen-Export GmbH & Co. KG • Michi Schneider

Am E-Piano: Simon Gabriel • Michi Schneider

Die Trophäe • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Germain Mignon Stragies, Alexander Heil, Luisa Rinn, Rinn Beton- und Naturstein GmbH & Co. KG • Michi Schneider

• Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Luisa Rinn & GTL Landschaftsarchitektur Triebswetter, Mauer, Bruns Partner, Kassel • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Christof Kluska & GTL Landschaftsarchitektur Triebswetter, Mauer, Bruns Partner, Kassel • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Luisa Rinn, Christof Kluska & GTL Landschaftsarchitektur Triebswetter, Mauer, Bruns Partner, Kassel • Michi Schneider

Lennie Burmeister, endboss GmbH • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Lennie Burmeister, Louise Weisbrod, bäuerle landschaftsarchitektur + stadtplanung, Hannes Bäuerle, Stuttgart • Ulrike Luz

v.l.n.r.: Lennie Burmeister, bäuerle landschaftsarchitektur + stadtplanung, Hannes Bäuerle, Stuttgart • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Victor Kamphausen, KuBuS Freiraumplanung GmbH & Co. KG, Rudolf Kaufmann, Wetzlar • Michi Schneider

Prof. Sabrina Wirtz; ROSA Architekten GmbH • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Prof. Sabrina Wirtz, BIERBAUM.AICHELE.landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Mainz Klaus-Dieter Aichele, Günter Schüller • Ulrike Luz

v.l.n.r.: Prof. Sabrina Wirtz, BIERBAUM.AICHELE.landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Mainz Klaus-Dieter Aichele, Günter Schüller • Michi Schneider

Philipp Sattler, Stiftung DIE GRÜNE STADT • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Philipp Sattler, BIERBAUM.AICHELE.landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Mainz Klaus-Dieter Aichele, Günter Schüller || Harald Neu Architekt & Städtebauarchitekt BDA, Christian Heinisch • Michi Schneider

• Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Heike Vossen, FREIRAUM GESTALTEN & Claudis Blaurock, Blaurock LA • Michi Schneider

• Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Heike Vossen, Claudia Blaurock, FREIRAUM Rabsilber Heckmann Giese Landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Andrea Rabsilber, Josefine Giese • Ulrike Luz

v.l.n.r.: Claudia Blaurock, FREIRAUM Rabsilber Heckmann Giese Landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Andrea Rabsilber, Josefine Giese, Heike Vossen • Michi Schneider

Torsten Becker, TorstenBeckerStadtplanerStadt • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Torsten Becker, LOMA architecture . landscape . urbanism, Wolfgang Schück, Petra Brunnhofer, Ilija Vukorep, Kassel • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Germaine Stragies, Ulrike Luz & Steffen Henrich, bdla Hessen e.V. • Michi Schneider

Prof. Stephan Lenzen • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Christof Pelka, Planungsgemeinschaft Landschaft + Freiraum • Ulrike Luz

v.l.n.r.: Prof. Stephan Lenzen, Christof Pelka, Planungsgemeinschaft Landschaft + Freiraum • Michi Schneider

Simon Gabriel • Michi Schneider

Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: StaatsBIERBAUM.AICHELE.landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Mainz, Klaus Bierbaum, Klaus-Dieter Aichele, Günter Schüller und Vertreter:innen der Bauherrschaft, Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer • Ulrike Luz

v.l.n.r.: Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer, BIERBAUM.AICHELE.landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB, Mainz, Klaus Bierbaum, Klaus-Dieter Aichele, Günter Schüller und Vertreter:innen der Bauherrschaft • Michi Schneider

Preisträger:innen und Laudator:innen • Michi Schneider

v.l.n.r.: Staatssekretär Daniel Köfer, Germeine Mignon Stragies, Victor Kamphausen, Ulrike Luz, Prof. Stephan Lenzen • Michi Schneider

Dokumentation - Projekte zum Mitnehmen • Ulrike Luz

Ausklang • Michi Schneider

Vorbereitung Flying Buffet • Ulrike Luz

Warten auf die Gäste - Team Lumen, AoxoMoxoA Caféhaus Betriebs GmbH • Ulrike Luz

• Michi Schneider

bdla Hessen e.V. • Ulrike Luz

Reinhard Ernst, art collector and founder of the museum of the same name, warmly welcomed the prize-winners and their planning teams. His vision and passions, the museum itself and his connection to landscape architecture are reflected not only in the museum’s architecture but also in its outdoor spaces, which were designed by the Kassel-based practice GTL Landschaftsarchitektur as part of the competition for the project ‘Klosterumfeld Frankenberg (Eder)’. Speaking on behalf of his Reinhard & Sonja Ernst Foundation, he also made a passionate plea for private individuals to get involved in supporting children, young people, the arts and the preservation of historic buildings.

State Secretary Daniel Köfer, of the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Viticulture, Forestry, Hunting and Regional Identity, delivered an opening address on behalf of the patron, Minister-President Boris Rhein, and later gave the laudatory speech for the winning project.

First prize for the project ‘Main Riverbank in Frankfurt at the Ruhrorter Werft’
The Hessian Landscape Architecture Prize 2026 was awarded to the project ‘Main Riverbank in Frankfurt at the Ruhrorter Werft’ by BIERBAUM.AICHELE Landschaftsarchitektur PartG mbB from Mainz. In his laudatory speech, Daniel Köfer highlighted the significance of the project:

Good landscape architecture transforms spaces into favourite places. This is precisely what the Hessian Landscape Architecture Prize stands for. The ‘Main Riverbank at Frankfurt’s Ruhrorter Werft’ project, which was awarded first prize, brings people together by the river whilst keeping a piece of Frankfurt’s history alive.

The jury was also impressed by the combination of urban quality, environmental responsibility and the culture of remembrance. In its verdict, it described the project as “a fascinating new open space in the heart of the Main metropolis”. It forms “the link between the green belt and the banks of the Main” and restores an important open space to Frankfurt. Particular praise was given to the integration of the memorial to the deported Jewish people of Frankfurt at the Großmarkthalle. Overall, the jury was impressed by “the sustainable, biodiverse, multifunctional and aesthetically appealing synthesis of urban requirements for a metropolitan space in times of the climate crisis”.

Special Prize for Young Landscape Architecture
The “Young Landscape Architecture” special prize went to the project “Helleböhnweg Urban Forest Garden in Kassel” by the planning consortium Landschaft + Freiraum from Kassel. The laudatory speech was delivered by Prof. Stephan Lenzen, President of the bdla and initiator of the new family of landscape architecture awards at the level of the bdla’s regional associations. In addition to congratulating PLF on the special prize, Prof. Lenzen expressed his particular appreciation for the firm’s courage in embarking on self-employment by taking over a long-established planning practice.
The remaining honours for the ten awards and special prizes were presented by members of the jury, who had also held their final meeting in August at the Chamber of Architects and Town Planners of Hesse in Wiesbaden.

A trophy symbolising a new beginning and the future
All prize winners received a trophy designed specifically for the competition. The artist and landscape architect Alexander Heil designed the sculpture in collaboration with bdla Hessen. In cooperation with Rinn GmbH & Co. KG, a sponsor of the competition, the trophies were crafted as unique pieces.

Germaine Mignon Stragies hosted the evening with great enthusiasm. She conducted short, entertaining interviews and presented the projects to the guests within their respective professional contexts. Simon Gabriel, a Master’s student in landscape architecture at Geisenheim University, provided the musical accompaniment with an arrangement of ‘Timeless Classics’ on the electric piano. The awards ceremony drew to a close in a festive atmosphere at the reception that followed in the museum foyer, featuring a ‘flying buffet’ organised by the team from the Lumen restaurant in Wiesbaden.

Documentation of the Hessian Landscape Architecture Prize 2026
The organiser took the conclusion of the first edition of the competition as an opportunity to publish a competition catalogue featuring all the winning and shortlisted entries. The 74-page brochure was made available for guests to take away at the awards ceremony – it will soon be available to download online.