Second Place Winner
ROOTING FOR CHANGE - A sustainable project for the future of Sechseläutenplatz
Design by
Jenny Diethelm & Alma Lieve Höing
Jury Critique
The Tiny Forest and unsealing concept are impactful, but widely known strategies; less architectural or spatial innovation than the first.
Jenny Diethelm & Alma Lieve Höing
Jenny Diethelm and Alma Höing are second-year landscape architecture students at OST in Rapperswil, Switzerland, situated on the shores of Lake Zurich. Both grew up in lush, nature-rich environments, fostering a deep appreciation for the importance of accessible natural spaces in everyday life. This shared background strongly informs their design approach
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
We are Jenny Diethelm and Alma Höing, from Switzerland and in our second year studying landscape architecture at the OST in Rapperswil – right on the shores of Lake Zurich.
We both grew up in green, nature-rich environments, which gave us a deep appreciation for the value of accessible natural spaces in everyday life. This background strongly influences our design approach: in all our academic projects so far, we have placed a strong emphasis on biodiversity, with special attention to creating habitats for animals and integrating ecological principles into our concepts.
What inspired you to participate in Miniature Arboreal Visions – Tiny Forest Design 2024?
In the course of our studies, we have already realized several projects together. Not only did we enjoy working together, we also received several positive reviews. We therefore wanted to take on a new challenge and decided to take part in an external competition.
The competition particularly appealed to us because we had already dealt with the topic of Tiny Forests several times during our studies - both in theory and in practical application. This made us realize how important this topic is in the context of climate change.
How did you approach the challenge of designing a miniature forest in an urban context?
For our project, we chose Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich - one of the few large, undeveloped areas in the city that heats up considerably in summer. Our aim was to completely unseal and green the square.
We then analyzed which paths and connections should be retained in order to design the development in a sensible way. These considerations led to the zoning of the square - designed to ensure that the individual areas function harmoniously with each other and do not compete with each other.
We have paid particular attention to our selected flagship species and their habitats in order to ensure an ecologically valuable and site-appropriate design.
What key elements or strategies did you incorporate to enhance biodiversity and sustainability in your design?
In our design, we specifically applied sustainable and climate-conscious strategies. A central element was the unsealing of the area to enable natural processes such as the infiltration of rainwater. In addition, we integrated water retention measures to retain rainwater on site and make it usable. For the planting, we opted for climate-resistant tree species that can withstand the increasing heat stress. The issue of light pollution was also important to us: lighting was deliberately reduced to a minimum - only as much as necessary to ensure safety. In addition, sustainable materials such as wood were used in the design to improve the ecological balance of the project.
How did you address accessibility and community engagement in your proposal?
A central concern of our project was the preservation of open, multifunctional spaces that can be used flexibly by the population. Sechseläutenplatz should not only be ecologically upgraded, but also remain a place for social encounters, cultural events and everyday activities. It was important to us that, despite the greening and zoning, there should still be enough space for people to use freely. This creates squares that fulfill both ecological and
social functions - places that are lively, changeable and integrative and that fit into everyday urban life in the long term.
Were there any unique challenges you faced during the design process, and how did you overcome them?
We were aware that Sechseläutenplatz has great cultural and emotional significance for many Zurich residents. That's why we took a close look at how our design would be received by the city's population. As we are unsealing and greening a large part of the area, the previous use of the square is changing - which may initially cause irritation. Nevertheless, we are convinced that the many benefits - such as cooling on hot days, mental well-being and recreational spaces - will outweigh the disadvantages in the long term and open up a new, liveable perspective on public space for people.
In your view, what role can small-scale green spaces play in shaping the future of urban life?
Small scale green spaces - play a crucial role in the future of our cities. They help to cool the microclimate, promote the infiltration of rainwater and have a demonstrably positive effect on people's mental well-being. At the same time, they create important habitats and stepping stones for the networking of flora and fauna. Especially in times of increasing urban density, such green islands are essential. Especially when many of them are distributed throughout the city, an effective, fine-meshed ecological network is created that benefits both
people and nature.
What advice would you offer to future participants of design competitions focused on ecological or urban themes?
Our advice to future participants in ecological or urban design competitions is to approach each project with a clear understanding of the local context—socially, ecologically, and culturally. Take the time to analyze not just the physical site, but also how people interact with it, what it means to them, and how it could evolve in a changing climate.
It's also important to balance vision and realism: be creative and bold with your ideas, but make sure they are technically and socially feasible. Use your academic knowledge as a foundation, but don’t be afraid to question norms and propose innovative, forward-thinking solutions.
Finally, always consider the long-term impact of your design—not just what it looks like when it’s built, but how it will function and be experienced over time. Designs that are ecologically sound, socially inclusive, and adaptable will resonate most—both with juries and the public.
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