From the 27 entries submitted, the jury, chaired by Prof. Irene Lohaus, awarded prizes to five projects and honourable mentions to two further ones. In addition, a special prize was awarded for a regional strategy comprising five individual projects. The winning entries exemplify how landscape architecture can contribute to climate adaptation, ecological revitalisation and high-quality public spaces – both in completed projects and in conceptual approaches.
The prize winners
Franz Reschke Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH from Berlin was awarded a prize for its ‘Altstadt Lüdenscheid’ project. The design concept focuses on allowing the historic buildings to stand out in a tranquil setting. The jury particularly highlighted the sensitive approach to the existing fabric, whilst targeted investment in quality is made at selected locations – entirely in keeping with the principle of ‘less is more’.
With the ‘Klimagarten Schwerte’, the firm Förder Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH from Essen has produced a design which, supported by an extensive public participation process, forms the basis for the park’s operation and use by the local community. Developed from the mix of orchards, spontaneous vegetation and open spaces typical of the Ruhr region, a flexible framework is emerging for a versatile park that fosters ‘climatic’ awareness amongst the many stakeholders and users. The prize was awarded to studio grüngrau GmbH from Düsseldorf, which designed Parkstadt Wiehl. The new Wiehlpark is emerging as the town’s defining centre. Following its renaturation and widening, the River Wiehl, with its floodplain landscape, now forms the town’s new east-west backbone and defines it as a landscape axis. The jury commended the coherent integration of urban planning, recreational needs and ecology in this project.
Another prize went to STERN LANDSCHAFTEN BDLA from Cologne for the Witzhelden Church Site project. Architecture and landscape architecture have together achieved a compelling solution. The jury particularly highlighted the exceptional design quality down to the finest detail, which develops this site in a respectful, understated manner whilst creating an inviting atmosphere. The skilful elevation concept draws out a variety of open spaces with different uses and recreational potential from the site’s varied slopes.
SOWATORINI Landschaft PartmbB from Bottrop was also awarded a prize for the ‘Treibgut – Grüner Weiler outdoor facilities’ project in Münster. This housing project breaks new ground in the areas of energy, mobility, solidarity and communal living. SOWATORINI has taken up this concept in a particularly innovative way. Shared spaces and activities foster a strong neighbourhood where sharing and participation are more important than ownership. The aim is to create a ‘village within the city’, where community life extends beyond one’s own home.
The awards
Furthermore, two commendations were awarded: one went to the Cologne-based practice LILL + SPARLA Landschaftsarchitekten Partnerschaft mbB for the design of the ‘table greenery’ at the new Confex building at Koelnmesse. Here, the team succeeded in creating a small green oasis for the site despite the most challenging conditions for planting. The planting displays a richly textured landscape that changes with the seasons and also attracts insects and birds. The integrated seating invites visitors to linger and observe.
The second honour went to PLANERGRUPPE GmbH from Essen for the ‘37° Nordost – Gladbeck wächst zusammen’ project. For 50 years, Gladbeck has been hoping to heal the wound inflicted on its town by the B 224. Here, landscape architecture provides solutions. Long before any concrete planning takes place, images convey an impression of the qualities that will emerge, giving the public a vision that goes beyond the stark functional plans. At the same time, standards for design and the distribution of uses are jointly developed, agreed upon and documented – an important tool and benchmark for the subsequent implementation in concrete landscape architecture.
Landscape architecture is a task for the future
The Association of German Landscape Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia has now awarded the nrw.landschaftsarchitektur.preis 2026 for the twelfth time. The award honours projects, planners and clients whose work serves as a model because it promotes high-quality, socially and ecologically effective urban and landscape development, climate adaptation strategies and contemporary, bold and creative landscape architecture in North Rhine-Westphalia. Conceptual designs and projects are also eligible.
In collaboration with the bdla nw, Baukultur North Rhine-Westphalia is publishing a brochure on the nrw.landschaftsarchitektur.preis 2026, which presents all competition entrants and their projects. The brochure can be ordered free of charge from the bdla nw and Baukultur North Rhine-Westphalia. The nrw.landschaftsarchitektur.preis 2026 is supported by Rinn Beton- und Naturstein GmbH & Co. KG, Lorberg Quality Plants GmbH & Co. KG and the Association for Garden, Landscape and Sports Ground Construction in North Rhine-Westphalia. During the awards ceremony, all prize winners were presented with a trophy. The trophy, a two-coloured exposed-concrete sculpture, features the state of North Rhine-Westphalia rising from a plinth. The winning projects are each named and located on it. The trophies were donated by the sponsor Rinn.
The brochure can be ordered from Baukultur North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Baukultur Nordrhein-Westfalen is the leading institution in the state for architectural culture. We initiate, organise, network and communicate current topics in architectural culture. To this end, Baukultur Nordrhein-Westfalen cooperates with numerous partners and supports exemplary third-party projects. Through its own Museum of Building Culture, Baukultur Nordrhein-Westfalen presents and showcases important social issues and developments – both within North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond the state’s borders. This form of a mobile museum of building culture is unique worldwide. Baukultur North Rhine-Westphalia is funded by the Ministry for Home Affairs, Local Government, Construction and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
https://www.baukultur.nrw
Redakteur/in
Judith Dohmen-Mick
