Winners 2006 - Acknowledgment prize

A Divan Amid Pebbles

For residents of historic centres – with characteristic high density – it is crucial to make the most of every opportunity to create an urban oasis. This small, private garden in Linz is located in part above a parking garage. It is divided into two parts: a gravel garden and a large wooden terrace. The latter calls to mind an over-sized divan located in a peaceful, serene setting.

The „backrest“ rises up elegantly, shielding the garden from the adjacent parking lot and contributing a measure of privacy for this outdoor living room. A luminaire and a water tap are integrated in the wooden wall. The wooden platform could also be interpreted as a dance floor: a place for elated parties beneath the tree which protrudes from the deck, casting delicate shadows on the grain of the wood.

In contrast to the tree, which is planted in soil, the gravel garden is situated atop the roof of the parking garage. The planting takes its cues from steppe gardens, typically found in arid, hot climes, and requiring minimal care. Herbaceous perennials, in blossom from spring to fall, provide colour accents; ornamental grasses sway in the breeze. Lavender, thyme, and sage supply pleasant scents, while climbing plants create a screen for the pebble garden.