Preserve and Transform

Following site clearance, a new urban neighborhood for nearly 4,000 residents was created on the grounds of the former Prinz Eugen Barracks, covering a total area of approximately 30 hectares. Prinz Eugen Park accounts for almost one third of this area. To this day, the district is defined by its remarkable stock of mature trees—nearly 3,000 preserved specimens—alongside expansive, near-natural meadow landscapes and traces of its former military use. These site-specific characteristics were deliberately emphasized as exceptional open-space potentials and form the guiding principle of the design concept: “MAKE DO WITH NOW!”

Future with a Past

Conceptually, the existing vegetation typologies are refined and accentuated in their distinct qualities. The park is thus structured into predefined thematic zones, each developing its own strong and unique atmosphere. With the northern, southern, and eastern wings, the central Anger grove, and the connecting green corridors, spaces are created that reflect the past while simultaneously pointing toward the future.

The Northern Wing

The defining feature here is a series of elongated tree halls—remnants of untamed hornbeam hedges from the barracks’ history. These are spatially expanded so that their dense canopies provide ample shade for park pathways and adjacent, low-impact play islands.

The Eastern Wing

The expansive, open “Bläulings meadow” preserves the site’s sense of openness. A dry biotope identified in the northern section is protected and extended across the entire eastern wing. Paths and a small number of wooden decks invite visitors to observe nature.

The Southern Wing

A plateau-like elevation of approximately 1.0–1.5 meters above the surrounding district marks the area of the sports terraces. Activity zones for all age groups are embedded into this topography like inlays and framed by precisely shaped grass embankments or meadow mounds that also serve as noise buffers. On the upper level, the guiding idea of the existing “wild meadow” is maintained with a few large solitary oaks. Mown lawn paths exclusively lead to the sports facilities. Toward the street, an elevated lounging landscape provides an attractive vantage point over the sports areas.

The Anger Grove

A former military road once ran diagonally through what is now the Anger grove. After its removal, a slightly lowered terrain remained, now forming an elongated meadow valley that defines a spacious play area with two prominent focal points. On the urban side, this takes the form of an intensively designed water playground featuring stone elements up to 4 meters high, inspired by oversized Isar river pebbles. Its counterpart is the “Beaver Castle,” a complex, monumental wooden sculpture up to 7 meters tall that can be explored both inside and out. The Anger Loop, a gently elevated circular path, follows the alignment of the particularly valuable tree population in this area and frames the central space.

The Green Corridors

The orchard corridors serve as key connective spaces. Each interval is characterized by a specific fruit tree species and its own landscape modeling concept. Along the meandering paths, individual picnic islands with expressive shade trees are embedded within the soft topography.

Ecology and Sustainability

Seed mixtures for the extensive meadow areas were specially developed in accordance with site conditions and soil characteristics. Diverse plant structures and seasonal flowering aspects lend the park landscape a distinctive character throughout the year while making a valuable contribution to biodiversity and species conservation. All soil material was processed on-site for reuse, for example in planting pits and topsoil installation. Excess material was incorporated during construction through the designation of flexible grading areas. All rainwater is retained locally, where it evaporates and is returned to the groundwater.

Client:
City of Munich,
represented by the Department of Public Construction – Horticulture Division, Friedenstraße 40, 81671 Munich

Project Phases:
Phases 2–8, open space planning (in collaboration with Club L94, Cologne),
Fee zone IV

Design Authors:
Peter Wich and Frank Flor,
Consortium of TERRA.NOVA Landscape Architecture and Club L94 Landscape Architects GmbH

Team:
Eva Greimel, Oliver Keil, Marion Schiffer, Anna Sevarac, Maria Wagner (TERRA.NOVA)
Pia Custodis, Priyambada Das, Axel Feja (Club L94)

Awards:
German Landscape Architecture Prize 2025 – Award in Residential Environment Category
2nd Prize City’Scape Award – Category City, Sport & Play and Category Urban Furniture

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