Project description | The "Edible Alluvial Forest Water Garden" project utilises the natural conditions.

An agricultural area degraded by flooding and waterlogging can now be transformed into a living and versatile ecosystem..

By creating an extensive water landscape, planting native fruit trees, wild fruit bushes, berry bushes and introducing native fish species, not only the Kraus family can create a livelihood for themselves. Many of the region's lost amphibians, insects and bird species have also found a new home.

Our concept is supported by the EU funding programme "LEADER Region Wels-Land" with a funding quota of 40%.

Project description | The project area is located approx. 10 km north of Marburg and is characterised by viticulture in the region.

Formerly small-scale farming has had to contend with extreme weather events and their consequences, particularly in recent years. Frequent heavy rainfall, soil compaction and unfavourable farming practices have led to erosion and landslides.

Our concept focuses on stabilising the local water balance and uses the abundance of water in the catchment area. The creation of water retention areas, terraces and diverse planting should not only increase the productivity of the areas, but also significantly improve the habitats for the preservation of biodiversity and the quality of life of the residents.

Project description | A plantation redesign was conceptualised and planned for and with "Holzer Permaculture" (Sepp Holzer and Josef A. Holzer). Some areas of the concept were also realised as prototypes during this period.

The approximately 50-hectare organic plantation (avocados, oranges and pomegranates) had extreme problems with poor yields due to the lack of vigour of its trees. Structure-related wind and water drainage led to an extreme lack of moisture in the summer months and waterlogging in winter.

The concept envisages a restructuring of the plantation areas along the contour lines. Strategically placed rainwater retention ponds, terraces, mixed crops and a robust boundary hedge are some of the most important measures here.

Project description | The project comprises a 9-hectare farm on a steep slope in the Pöllau Valley Nature Park in the East Styrian hills.

The Buchmaier family's vision: a self-sufficient farm on a communal basis with the possibility of running a seminar centre. The brief: the neglected path system was to be utilised in the design and integrated with minimal intervention, only passable for small machines.

Our concept takes the family's ideas and wishes into account and focusses on the core zone of the project area. A woodland garden is to be created on the existing green areas near the farm, which will be accessible and cultivable via narrow terraces. Smaller water retention ponds will buffer the various water runoffs on the site and the extensive meadow orchard will be integrated into the paddock area of an old livestock breed, the Carniolan stone sheep.

Project description | Increasingly frequent, prolonged heat, extreme drought and heavy rainfall call for a rethink in the design of public spaces. Heat islands in urban areas contribute to the stress experienced by large sections of the population.

Ecological planning of communal green spaces consumes fewer resources during construction and is sustainably stable and long-lasting. It has a significant impact on the quality of life in our living environment.

Plants cool through their evaporation capacity and the shade they provide. Not only can they absorb up to 90% of precipitation, they also help to reduce noise pollution and significantly improve air quality.

"Green islands" in urban areas are also part of the biotope network that helps to preserve biodiversity. Our concepts are intended to be positive examples of effective adaptation measures and help to create ecologically valuable habitats.

Project description | The increasing (re-)densification of urban areas often leads to conflicts of land use and objectives between sealing and green spaces. However, green settlements in particular contribute to the well-being of residents. They create space for rest, relaxation and exercise and keep temperatures low in summer.

Strategies for decentralised water retention (sponge city) also prevent heavy rainfall events from leading to flooding, erosion and structural damage. The decentralised buffering of precipitation contributes to local groundwater recharge and to regulating the ambient temperature (summer cooling).

Not everyone has the same access to parks and urban forests. In view of the challenges of climate change, our concepts are designed to help improve microclimatic conditions by maintaining or maximising local "blue" and "green" infrastructure, while at the same time creating ecologically valuable biotopes.

Architecture Office Tschom | The project examples are various competition entries and were commissioned by Architecture Office Tschom / Graz.