MQ in Morphosis – Temporary Green in the Vienna Museum’s Quarter by DND Landschaftsplanung

Built in 2024 / 2025 Entries / 2025 Landscape and Architecture / 2025 Other Projects / Austria /
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Temporary Green Spaces – MQ in Morphosis
The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) in Vienna stands as a multi-faceted urban hub, attracting visitors from all walks of life. It is a lively meeting point for people of all ages, drawing both locals and tourists. However, in the summer months, this vibrant location transforms into a heat hotspot. This is due to the high level of paving in the courtyards, which amplifies the heat. To combat this, targeted greening measures have been implemented, offering a temporary solution to improve the environmental conditions. The temporary greenery, set to last for three years, aims to provide a preview of how the MQ will evolve into a cool, green “chill-out” space in the future.

Over the years, the MQ’s central square between the buildings of MUMOK, the Leopold Museum, and Kunsthalle E has become one of the first places in the city where people can bask in the spring sun. However, at the height of summer, the paved courtyards of the MQ become excessively hot and dry. The impermeable surfaces contribute to heat island effects, where temperatures soar much higher than in greener areas. This phenomenon makes the MQ less comfortable for visitors, especially during the warmer months, and has prompted the need for a solution to cool down the space and create a more pleasant environment.

Greening the courtyards
In response to this issue, the MQ has embarked on a temporary greening project with a design called MQ in Morphosis. The goal is to introduce plants and trees into the MQ courtyards, thereby reducing heat effects and improving the overall quality of the space. The plan includes creating a variety of themed green areas across the four courtyards, each with its unique character and ambiance. These themes will be in place for three years, giving both visitors and residents a chance to experience the transformation of the space into a lush, cooler environment.
During the design competition, a strong focus was placed on the climate and heat resilience of the area. The winning design, MQ in Morphosis, was chosen by an expert jury for its innovative approach and the way it addressed both aesthetic and functional needs. The design proposes different greening themes for each of the four courtyards, with a variety of plant species chosen to suit the unique characteristics of each space. Four different courtyards have been carefully designed to offer distinct qualities: The small courtyard serves as a green retreat with evergreens and tree-like magnolias, evoking the feel of primeval and misty rainforests. The plants in the main courtyard—like silk acacia and Zelkova—are larger and tree-like, heat-loving, and robust. The children’s courtyard features a jungle-like atmosphere with large-leaved shrubs, climbing vines, and a pocket forest to immerse visitors in a forest-like setting. The Architecture Center courtyard evokes a Mediterranean atmosphere with Moroccan riads, palms, and vibrant grasses, creating an oasis amidst the urban environment.

Temporary green towards permanent cooling
The MQ in Morphosis project addresses several key qualities. By transforming the MQ courtyards into greener, more comfortable spaces, the project aims to enhance the social experience of visitors. The addition of greenery will make the area more inviting, offering a space for relaxation and social interaction, especially during the summer months.
The greening of the MQ is a direct response to the urban heat island effect, with plants helping to cool down the space and improve air quality. The variety of plant species chosen also enhances biodiversity within the urban environment. The spatial design of the MQ’s courtyards will be redefined through the new plantings, creating distinct atmospheres in each space. From the tropical feel of the main courtyard to the calming, Mediterranean ambiance of the Architecture Center courtyard, the green areas will provide a variety of experiences. The new green spaces will also be strategically placed to improve the overall flow of the area, making the MQ not just a cultural hotspot, but a vibrant urban oasis.
The MQ in Morphosis design offers a promising glimpse into the future of the MuseumsQuartier, where this temporary greenery will be implemented permanently. It enhances not only the aesthetic value of the space but also contributes to a more sustainable and comfortable urban environment. Currently, the temporary greenery is being transformed into a permanent redesign of the MQ, also planned and guided by DnD Landschaftsplanung. The permanent redesign, MQ GOES GREEN, partially opens the paving and creates islands of lush greenery within the architectural framework. This initiative is expected to bring lasting improvements to the MQ, benefiting the people of Vienna and creating a cooler, greener place to relax and socialize.

Photo credits: © Rita Engl / DnD GmbH