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Open space competition strengthens UNESCO World Heritage Site Darmstadt
The city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research, has announced the results of its Europe-wide open space planning competition for the design of the open spaces on the eastern slope of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mathildenhöhe. Two Berlin-based landscape architecture firms – TDB Landschaft and capattistaubach urbane landschaften – were each awarded first prize.
The competition concerns the future design of the park areas surrounding the planned information center of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt. The aim was to develop a sustainable, historically appropriate, and climate-adapted open space that preserves the ecologically valuable tree population while simultaneously enabling high-quality visitor guidance and a pleasant atmosphere.
High demands on design and climate adaptation
Mayor Hanno Benz emphasized the project's importance for the city: the further development of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is of great relevance. The award-winning designs demonstrated how the existing trees could be sensitively preserved while simultaneously creating a compelling open space design.
Preserving the existing trees was one of seven equally weighted evaluation criteria. The design quality of the overall concept, its integration into the context of the World Heritage Site in accordance with heritage preservation principles, accessibility, functionality, as well as aspects of climate adaptation and biodiversity were also taken into account.
City Planning and Green Spaces Director Michael Kolmer explained that the goal was to preserve the character of the eastern slope as a green lung while simultaneously creating a contemporary park. Climate adaptation through rainwater retention, promotion of biodiversity, and a sensitive approach to the existing structures were given equal weight alongside design quality and the responsibility for the preservation of historical monuments.
Two different concepts are convincing
Under the guiding principle of "Nature Grove on the Eastern Slope - a Park for All", TDB Landscape has created a landscaped open space that embeds the information center in generous planting and tree areas.
Capattistaubach urban landscapes develop a differentiated sequence of spaces consisting of a clearly defined forecourt and the naturally designed "Mathildenhöhe Forest Park". Both concepts enhance the quality of stay and integrate measures to improve microclimate and biodiversity.
The Berlin-based firm Planorama was awarded third prize. Honorable mentions went to A24 Landschaft, also from Berlin, and GTL Landschaftsarchitektur from Kassel.
56 applications, 19 submitted projects
A total of 56 firms applied to participate. Twenty were selected by lottery, and 19 submitted a competition entry. The jury consisted of representatives from the city council, the relevant departments, external experts in landscape architecture and historic preservation, UNESCO, and other specialists. The jury was chaired by Prof. Dr. Constanze Petrow from Geisenheim University.
The jury praised the high quality and the intensive engagement with the challenging task. They found the sensitive development of the ecologically valuable area, taking into account design, functional, and heritage preservation requirements, to be convincingly successful.
The city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research, will now enter into negotiations with the two first-prize winners. Based on the jury's recommendations, the designs will be revised. A decision on awarding the contract will then be made.
All competition entries will be on public display from February 17 to March 1, 2026, in the exhibition building on the Mathildenhöhe. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Further information about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mathildenhöhe can be found on the City of Darmstadt's website: www.darmstadt.de
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho)
