The city of vienna is working on a general concept for urban development goals, to be reached by 2020. Within this context an open competition was launched, aimed at finding and developing ‘urban oases’. The winning projects are the ‘bimbaum’ and the ‘flowerflash’ by xarchitekten + henning grahn. The projects offer new strategies for temporary and flexible plantation in addition to conventional greening. they activate urban sites which are not adequate for permanent vegetation.
The ‘bimbaum’ is an open-topped public tramway wagon planted with trees, moving throughout the city. For the first time in vienna, city transport is associated with urban greening. the rolling oasis is an effective image carrier for different events.
Through the idea of the ‘flowerflash’ a chosen public open space becomes a flowerbed. the participants bring their own flowerpots and create a common blooming zone so that unattractive areas are temporarily revitalised. The flowerflash brings together all kind of residents and enables them to add a personal touch to public places.
bimbaum + flowerflash
xarchitekten henning grahn
credits projects + photos + text : xarchitekten henning grahn
competition 2010, 1st. prize (both projects), vienna l A l
ongoing / expected realisation: 2011