Grieger Harzer Dvorak

What is quality open space today? Grieger Harzer Dvorak answer this question with a formally undogmatic landscape architecture that takes social, ecological and economic functions for granted. At the same time, they also pursue themes in their designs that are not limited to the formal or functional. These include open space as a repository of history, as a forum for public expression and as a place for immersive nature experiences. This openness enables them to have a “pleasure in designing”, which generates additional quality in their projects and contributes significantly to their success.

Until just a few years ago, landscape architects found it difficult to integrate formal languages and elements of historical garden art into their work. After all, they didn't want to limit themselves to the garden and park construction tasks and didn't see themselves as gardeners either. Grieger Harzer Dvorak, on the other hand, combines formal languages from different styles to create a contemporary expression. For example, visitors can encounter a reduced design that can surprisingly become ornamental and even opulent just one corner away - or vice versa.

Today, open spaces should be barrier-free, offer play and sports opportunities, promote biodiversity and have a positive impact on the climate. In addition, components should be easy to maintain and repair and building materials should be reusable. Grieger Harzer Dvorak see these requirements as self-evident design components that do not have to be prominently in the foreground. That's why they place storage elements for rainwater inconspicuously below the square area, where sports and play elements, barrier-free ramps, shady trees, native plants or photovoltaic systems are quietly integrated.

In their exhibition, Grieger Harzer Dvorak illustrate the themes mentioned at the beginning using a park in Kempten, an experimental garden in Leipzig and a city square in Hanover. The room-filling installation designed for this purpose, like the projects, is a collage of different shapes, media and materials that complement each other and merge into one another.

Grieger Harzer Dvorak landscape architects was founded in Berlin in 2018. Their range of services includes open spaces such as city squares, gardens, parks, promenades and residential courtyards in town and country on all scales as well as urban planning. Most projects are based on won competitions, such as Stadtpark Kempten (2017), Bavarian State Garden Show and City Entrance South Papenburg (both 2023). They are currently implementing, among other things, the Kelbra Crane Experience Center (architecture: Richter Musikowski), the redesign of Steintorplatz in Hanover and Franz-Naumann-Platz in Berlin.

Opening on Thursday, May 16th at 7 p.m.
Welcome: Ulrich Müller
Introduction: Christoph Richter