The courtyards at TU Wien are more than just places to pass through – they are the heart of the campus. To get this heart beating, GUT launched a student ideas competition in the summer of 2024, designed to bring a breath of fresh air and spark creative ideas. In close cooperation with the Research Unit of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning, young talents were invited to share their visions for a more liveable university.

A competition that inspired

The response was overwhelming. The submitted projects stood out for their diversity and high quality, demonstrating the potential of the next generation of planners. Finally, in September 2024, a high-calibre jury, comprising experts from TU Wien and BIG (the City of Vienna’s construction and property company), met to carry out the final assessment and select the best ideas. 

The winning ideas: innovation meets quality of life

The winning designs impressed the jury with their well-thought-out blend of aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. The key themes were:

• Sustainable landscaping: creative concepts for more green spaces that are not only pleasing to the eye but also ecologically valuable.
• Improved quality of the outdoor environment: The creation of inviting retreats and places to linger amidst the daily university routine.
• Outdoor learning and social spaces: Innovative ideas on how the courtyards can become places for spontaneous interaction, collaborative work and shared learning.

The next steps: From idea to reality

The best ideas are more than just a competition success. They are intended to transform the courtyards of TU Wien into inviting places for exchange, relaxation and inspiration in the future. The winning concepts will therefore be incorporated as key catalysts into the further planning considerations of GUT and BIG, paving the way for a greener and more vibrant future for the campus.