Combining theory and practice: During the two-day dry stone wall workshop in Tachenhausen, landscape architecture students first received an introduction to the structure, function, and ecological significance of vineyard dry stone walls. The workshop also covered topics such as construction guidelines, restoration, tendering, specifications, and basic cost estimation.

In the hands-on session that followed, the participants put what they had learned into practice: they worked on sandstone blocks, shaped them, and assembled them using traditional construction methods to build a sturdy dry stone wall.

In addition to the technical skills involved, the ecological significance of this work became particularly clear: dry stone walls provide valuable habitats for insects, reptiles, and plants, thereby making an important contribution to biodiversity.

Thanks to the perfect weather, the students were able to gain a deeper understanding of key concepts in sustainable landscape development through hands-on experience.

Special topic: Design / Nature-oriented recreation planning

In a collaboration between the landscape architecture and landscape planning + nature conservation programs, interdisciplinary groups conducted feasibility studies for a potential swimming lake between Owen and Beuren. The task included not only investigating and evaluating the natural conditions, but also proposing designs for the lake that would integrate it into the landscape and existing local recreation facilities.

Supervision:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Kröniger

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Röhl

The concept of knowledge-based urban development, using Nürtingen as an example, formed the content framework for the design lab. The focus was on upgrading the outdoor facilities at Max Planck Gymnasium, located not far from the city center. Together with the existing buildings, which have been repeatedly renovated and expanded since 1914, the outdoor facilities currently present themselves as a conglomeration of different time layers and educational ideas. They have to meet a wide range of requirements in a limited space. The design lab was tasked with developing ideas for the

 contemporary redevelopment of the aging school grounds. 

An important part of this was planning and running a workshop with students. The participation process figured out how the young people see “their” school grounds and what wishes and ideas they have for redesigning them. 

Supervision:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Kröniger

Dr. Anna Szilagy-Nagy

The bachelor thesis, with a focus on design and building construction, dealt with the upgrading of the campus grounds and the enhancement of the quality of stay by means of open space design, the external image of the university, and the connection of the area to the banks of the Fil River.

In contrast, the bachelor thesis with an urban planning focus dealt with the surroundings of the university location: the upgrading of the banks of the Fils river and new urban planning impulses on adjacent properties, the strengthening of pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and the closer connection of the university area with the old town.

Supervision:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Kröniger
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Meier

Inner-city conversion areas play a key role in sustainable urban development. While it was initially the derelict areas of the barracks and the manufacturing industry that were converted, the real estate boom of recent years has also brought previously little-noticed peripheral areas into focus. The site at the former port in Kassel is one such area. Here, a pilot project by a private investor is creating a comprehensive approach to the subsequent use of commercial enterprises, some of which are already derelict. In addition to sustainable and socially responsible residential development, the issues of “blue-green open spaces” and green connections play a particularly important role. The area surrounding the port is closely linked to the banks of the Fulda and the park at the historic lock.
As part of the Bachelor’s thesis, designs with an urban planning or structural design focus were developed, depending on the specialization.

Supervision:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Heseler-Lülff
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Kröniger

The importance of versatile green and open spaces for the quality of life in our cities is becoming increasingly clear in view of the effects of climate change. Not only traditional parks, residential courtyards and gardens play an important role here. There is also great potential in the creative activation of unconventional and multi-utilised types of open space. The further development of the listed Paketposthalle in Munich, an architectural icon from the 1960s, into the defining public open space of the planned PaketPost-Areal urban quarter offers one such opportunity.
The focus of the bachelor’s thesis was the examination of the open space utilisation of the hall and the adjacent green areas, with a design or structural design focus depending on the specialisation.

Supervision:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Kröniger
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Heseler-Lülff

The final projects of the Planning and Building specialisation this year were divided into two thematic areas.

Topic A deals with the Ölhöfles planning area in Augsburg. Here, a new recreational area for information about the city’s water management is being created behind the historic city swimming pool on a previously unused gravel surface. An information pavilion was to be constructed on this area, where information on the city’s history could be displayed.

Topic B deals with the redesign of the banks of the Wertach in the city of Augsburg. On one side of the river, an individual Wertach balcony was constructed. Opposite, on the other side of the Wertach, a neighbourhood square was to be created for recreation and adjacent uses. The difficulty of the task was to put the two riverbanks in correspondence with each other in terms of visibility.

Supervision:
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Meier
Prof. Dr. Birgit Kröniger

A number of great fascinating ecological parks have been created in Paris, we had to check them out! The eighth semester left for the Seine to check out the latest trends in landscape architecture and also to visit Versailles and see the Grand Projects of the 90s. A great experience!

Supervisor:
Prof. Rainer Sachse
Prof. Ludwig Schegk

Photos: R. Sachse