International Symposium and Award Ceremony for “best private plots 08 – Die besten Gärten 2008”

The contemporary design of private outdoor spaces dares to embark on new, unconventional paths: The international competition best private plots - Die besten Gärten is now in its third year. This year, 71 architects, garden designers, landscape architects and garden owners from 17 countries responded to the invitation to submit their garden projects to the competition. An international expert jury composed of five members has nominated 28 projects, from among which the top three contestants will be chosen during the final jury meeting in Langenlois. The projects nominated for best private plots 08 – Die besten Gärten 2008 are published at www.privateplots.at/en/nominations.html.


The award recognizes exemplary achievements in the design of private outdoor spaces and gardens, rating sophisticated design ideas and aesthetic solutions, the innovative use of plants and materials, and the consideration of the ecological context.


The winners of best private plots 08 – Die besten Gärten 2008 will be announced on September 27th at 7 p.m. at the award ceremony in the auditorium of Grafenegg Castle in Austria. We look forward to celebrating with you afterwards with a buffet and wine offered in the open-air pavilion “Cloud Tower”, designed by the architects of the next ENTERprise, and located in the castle’s 250-year old park. For guests, a shuttle service from the Loisium Hotel in Langenlois to Grafenegg Castle will be available. Make your reservations at: www.privateplots.at/en/registration.html

As jury members, we have been able to enlist renowned experts from the fields of landscape architecture, architecture and design, who have investigated the topic of planning gardens and outdoor spaces in greatly varied and highly innovative ways. We expect their presentations at the symposium public spots on private plots to provide an exciting and productive impetus for discussion, as well as perspectives on gardens as aesthetic and cultural fields of experimentation – as open, varied and variable spaces.

The international symposium on garden architecture public spots on private plots will take place on September 27th, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Loisium Hotel in Langenlois, Austria.

Jane Amidon (USA) – landscape architecture | Petra Blaisse (Netherlands) – design
Erik Dhont (Belgium) – landscape architecture | Edouard François (France) – architecture

The participation fee for the symposium is EUR 50.00, and registration is required at www.privateplots.at/en/registration.html.

All projects nominated will be published in the bilingual catalogue “best private plots 08 – Die besten Gärten 2008 – Internationale Beispiele zur Gartenarchitektur”, which will be presented at the award ceremony. The catalogue can be pre-ordered at: www.privateplots.at/en/catalogue.html