Vienna International Garden Show 1974, "Kurgarten

The Vienna International Garden Show 1974 in the south on the Laaer Berg a former brickyard had the goal to create a recreational park for the residents of the district as an after-use. A thermal spa was created because of the existing mineral springs.
After the 1st purchase in the competition, we received the planning contract for the spa garden.

The terrain in the Kurgarten slopes downwards from north to south by about 10 metres. In order to create usable flat areas, the partly impassable terrain was terraced. In the process, a completely new geometric terrain modeling was designed.
The planting and the terrain modeling complement each other and form a spatial unit.
A tangible contrast to the wider environment is created.

The planting was done with flowering and fragrant trees and shrubs, beautiful growth and leaf shapes combined. Magnolias, Liriodendron, Catalpa, Acacias complemented with a large number of Syringa (lilacs) and the annual summer flora.

The form and content of the spa garden attempt to tie in with the tradition of the turn of the century. The lamps, the Viennese park benches, the garden sculptures from turn-of-the-century Vienna enliven the park.
The spa garden is intended for passive recreation and light exercise of guests. Promenading, reading, resting, etc. The visual and sensual experience is the main focus here.

40 years after its opening, one is amazed at how the spatial concept of ground modelling and vegetation comes to full effect.

Not least of all, the loving care and changing summer flora go a long way to ensuring that the spa garden remains a jewel and is very well received.


Literature

WIG 74. in: Garden Landscape, June 1970/6.

Hansjakob Gottfried. Kurgarten in: Der Aufbau 5/6 1974

International Ideas Competition, in: Architecture Competition 64 November 1970.