Willkommen zurück

Back in 2019, Pat Smith supported us with his extensive construction and realisation experience as a freelancer in the implementation of our projects. Now he's back. We are delighted!

Welcome back

Tom Schweizer trained at Fontana Landscape Architecture as a draughtsman from 2016 to 2020. We are delighted that he is now back as a fully trained team-member. Welcome, Tom!

Die Liestaler sagen ja zum Orispark

Eine unschöne Lücke inmitten Liestals wird mit einem zukunftsweisenden, grünen Brückenschlag geschlossen: Anstelle von Parkplätzen und einem Bach im engen Betonkorsett wird in Liestal der Orispark rund um den revitalisierten Orisbach entstehen – und damit ein attraktives Bindeglied zwischen dem Bahnhof und dem Stedtli, wie die Liestaler ihre Altstadt nennen. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur betreut das Projekt seit 2017. Am 19.11.2023 hat die Liestaler Bevölkerung nun ja zum Orispark und dem zugehörigen Post-Neubau gesagt. Wir freuen uns auf die nächsten Schritte!

Dreifach ausgezeichnet!

Alle fünf Jahre vergeben die beiden Basler Kantone gemeinsam die Auszeichnung gutes Bauen – dem Zeitgeist sei dank immer häufiger auch für gebaute Freiräume! Wir freuen uns, auch 2023 zu den Preisträgern zu gehören: Mit dem Park Steinbühlmätteli, der Siedlung Hirtenweg und nicht zuletzt mit dem Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, das, wohl auch dank der grünen Fassade, den Publikumspreis erhalten hat.

Quartierplan am Orisbach: Daumen drücken für einen neuen Park in Liestal!

Der Stadtrat und der Einwohnerrat Liestals haben im Mai 2023 den Quartierplan "Am Orisbach" beschlossen. Im November 2023 folgt die Volksabstimmung, die darüber entscheidet, ob Liestals Zentrum einen neuen Park am Wasser erhält und der Orisbach aus seinem Betonkorsett befreit werden kann. Nun hat sich ein überparteiliches Ja-Komitee formiert.

Guided tours by Massimo Fontana in the Merian Gardens

Vorder Brüglingen in the famous Merian Gardens have been renovated and redesigned by Fontana Landscape Architecture in recent years. What is special about the new design? And what is the most exciting thing about the long history of this place? Massimo Fontana will provide first-hand information as part of Open House Basel 2023: Saturday, 6 May at 1 and 5 pm.

No “hares” in the Merian gardens – but a recognition from the jury!

Every year the architectural Magazine Hochparterre awards the best landscape architecture projects in Switzerland with the "Hare". Although the three "hares" have gone to other projects 2022, we are pleased, along with the Christoph Merian Foundation, to have received one of the jury's two recognitions in the landscape architecture category.

Uptownbasel has been opened – Fontana makes the industrial area 4.0 greener

On 8 September 2022, uptown Basel was opened: This "Industrial Area 4.0" has been growing in Arlesheim in place of the former Schoren site since 2019. It is committed to innovation and sustainability not only in terms of content and architecture, but also in the outdoor space. Fontana planted a 4000 square metre garden onto the roof of the first new building on the site on the banks of the River Birs. And a temporary recreational space for the first 400 employees in front of the door.

Anthos Yearbook No. 2 is here – and we’re part of it

The Anthos Yearbook Number 2 of the BSLA has been published. It proves that the step from a monthly magazine to a more in-depth yearbook has been successful. Congratulations! We are pleased to be represented in the "best of" section of the book – with two projects: the Schüssinsel (Biel) and the Kannenfeldpark (Basel).

Merian Gardens: Vorder Brüglingen is ready for the future.

A great deal of work on a great public garden is coming to an end: We are still putting the finishing touches to the new old gardens of Vorder Brüglingen within the Merian Gardens. Meanwhile, the Christoph Merian Foundation has announced the completion of construction work in Vorder Brüglingen. The visitors have already taken possession of their park.

Fontana at the first Architekturwoche Basel and at Open House Basel

The first Architekturwoche Basel is over and complemented the already established Open House Basel wonderfully. We are happy to have brought a little free space into the dense architecture programme with our contributions!

Schüss Island in good European company: Publication in LAE # 6

In March 2022, the 6th yearbook of Landscape Architecture Europe was published - with best practice examples of current european landscape architecture. Fontana Landscape Architecture is represented in it with the project Schüss Island Biel.

Successful submission: Indicative project for Kasernenareal in Aarau

An almost 50,000 square metre blank area on Aarau's city map is being filled with life: The currently inaccessible barracks area near the city centre is to become an open urban district. Its realisation is planned in stages starting in 2031. We are part of the team that has been awarded the contract to develop the indicative project - and are looking forward to the workshop procedure!

Basel Tree Protection in Zurich

At the conference "Bäume in der Stadt" (trees in the city) organised by Grün Stadt Zürich, Robert Zeller did not represent Fontana for once, but was present in his honorary capacity as president of the Basel Tree Protection Commission – and together with Peter Kuhn from the Bern Tree Competence Centre, gave a presentation on practical tree protection in Bern and Basel. The lecture is now available as a video.

Uptown Basel: A green lung for the industrial area

The population of Arlesheim has approved the Untere Weiden II neighbourhood plan. The master plan can now be implemented, and the historic industrial area can be transformed into the "innovation park" Uptown Basel. Between mighty buildings landscape will move into the industrial area. And with it, entirely new amenity qualities and ecological values: the valuable space along the banks of the Birs will be given more space, and the industrial area will be given a strong green lung.

Competition success: A memorial for the deceased of the Swiss Armed Forces

A successful interplay of art and landscape architecture: The artist andreasschneider and the architect Philipp Schallnau created an expressive design for the memorial site - we embedded it in the surroundings in such a way that not only the artists' work but also the landscape wins.

Hagnau Muttenz: The next obstacle has been overcome!

Fontana Landscape Architecture has been accompanying the development of the Hagnau site near the Schänzli and the Birs in Muttenz since 2014. After the rejection of various objections, the neighbourhood plan, which was approved by the population in 2018, became legally valid in autumn 2021. Now the project planning for the open spaces is in full swing!

Reality test passed: The new Meriangärten playground is well received!

Construction work is still underway at Vorder Brüglingen in Basel's Merian Gardens. But the newly designed playground by Fontana and the playground builders from Kukuk has already passed its baptism of fire: The reality test with our most important and probably most merciless critics – the little users themselves!

An industrial size roof garden

We have been developing the "Uptown" site in Arlesheim together with architect Hansjörg Fankhauser since 2019 – from master plan to implementation. Now the first trees have been planted. Before they could sink their roots into the ground, however, they had to make a short flight: They are standing in a 4000 square meter roof garden – the largest that Fontana has realized so far!

Bredella site Pratteln: The owner changes – the planning continues

Since 2016, Fontana Landscape Architecture has been accompanying the visionary urban development project Bredella in Pratteln. In January 2022, Ina Invest AG took over Ceres Group Holding, the previous owner and developer. The project will continue unchanged and so we are also continuing to plan Pratteln's future under the new ownership.

Schüssinsel goes America!

We made it onto the cover of an American magazine ...

Steinbühlmätteli Opening: Old Basel Park Shines in New Splendour

Merian Gardens: The Building Site in Bloom!

Competition success: HIC, ETH Zurich Hönggerberg

A meeting centre is being added to ETH Zurich's renowned research campus at Hönggerberg. The new HIC building will provide space for student organisations, various user groups and entrepreneurial initiatives and thus promote collaboration. As part of the general planning team of Buchner Bründler Architekten / Rapp Architekten, we were able to win the competition.

Successful competition: „Meet“, Airport City Zürich

"Meet" is to be the forerunner of a completely new type of urban development: the iconic, suburban centre that combines work, shopping, sport, culture, health services and much more, and does not close itself off like a mall, but opens up and responds to its surroundings.

University Centre for Dentistry Basel UZB opened

On August 30th the University Centre for Dentistry Basel UZB was inaugurated on the Rosental site. The "most modern dental clinic in Europe" combines the Basel Volkszahnklinik, the Schulzahnklinik and the university clinics for dentistry under one roof. In this high density, the scarce outdoor space is of particular importance for the quality of the urban environment. Fontana has customised the open spaces for this location.

100 green spaces: Die Schüssinsel als best-practice-Beispiel

„Kaum eine Planung ist so komplex, nachhaltig und beeinflusst die Lebensqualität im Alltag wie die des Freiraumes“, schreibt das deutsche Architekturmagazin „100 Häuser“. In der aktuellen Ausgabe „100 green spaces“ zur Aussenraumgestaltung wird mit der Schüssinsel in Biel auch ein Projekt von Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur vorgestellt.

De 5 à 7 – die Schüssinsel in der SIA-Publikation

Die Veranstaltungsreihe „de 5 à 7“ der SIA-Sektionen Bern und Biel-Seeland gibt den Mitgliedern die Möglichkeit, besonders interessante Bauprojekte der Region unter fachkundiger Führung zu besichtigen und zu diskutieren – darunter auch die Schüssinel in Biel von Fontana. 2019 kam die Begleitpublikation heraus, in der diese Projekte dokumentiert sind. Ein interessantes Nachschlagewerk, finden wir.

Bredella – die Zukunftsvision für Pratteln nimmt Form an

Am Bahnhof von Pratteln soll an Stelle eines introvertierten Industriegebiets ein offener neuer Stadtteil entstehen. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur entwickelt zusammen mit Burckhardt + Partner Architekten den Masterplan, der dem Areal Struktur gibt, der die Baufelder, Plätze, Gassen, Wege und Grünflächen definiert, um ein lebenswertes Stück Stadt entstehen zu lassen. Im Juni 2019 wurde die Bevölkerung über die Pläne für das Areal informiert. Die Website www. bredella.ch gibt Einblick in die Geschichte und Zukunft des Areals.

Gute Platzgestaltung: Lieblingsplätze in Anthos

Anthos 2/2019 widmet sich einem grossen Thema der Landschaftsarchitektur: den Plätzen. In diesem Rahmen stellt unsere Mitarbeiterin Vedrana Zalac einen ihrer Lieblingsplätze vor: einen archetypischen Platz mit Blick auf das Mittelmeer.

Fontana im „Fokus Biel“ von werk, bauen + wohnen

werk, bauen + wohnen wirft in seiner Ausgabe 5/2019 einen kritischen Blick auf die Entwicklung von Biel – und streift dabei auch zwei für die Stadtentwicklung mitentscheidende Aussenraumprojekte von Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur: Die Schüssinsel und die Erweiterung des Omega-Hauptsitzes von Shigeru Ban.

Competition Success Hirtenweg Riehen

The city of Basel wants to create affordable housing on Hirtenweg in Riehen. Harry Gugger Studio, Erne Holzbau and Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur won the competition held by the city of Basel, submitting a bid that brings together several isolated buildings using landscape design. The result is a dense, yet private ensemble.

The Erlenmatt in Basel to become greener

Since 2007 a new urban quarter has been under construction on the Erlenmatt, based on the principles of sustainable neighbourhood development. In May 2019 the new tenants will move into the new building on ‘construction site A’. The outside space is currently being completed: large plane trees will complement the planting scheme on Signalstrasse, while the courtyards will be transformed into green refuges.

Die building co-operative Bernstrasse Luzern takes the next hurdle

The building co-operatives Matt and ABL are jointly planning the construction of 142 new flats and 12 new studios on Bernstrasse in Lucerne. The project by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur and Luca Selva Architekten emerged as the competition winner in 2017. Now the two building co-operatives have overwhelmingly voted in favour of implementing the construction project and have approved the funds.

Under construction: Vulcano, Zürich

The foundation stone was laid in 2016. In 2017 the topping out ceremony was held. Now the outside spaces are being constructed all around the new build by Dominique Perrault-Architekten near Zürich’s Altstetten station. In the near future they will counter the elegant built densification with a little green relaxation. At the moment the dominant colour is still grey but that’s about to change.

Between Truth and Fake: Fontana in the Stapferhaus Lenzburg

Just like architects, landscape architects, being designers of living spaces, are also generalists to a certain degree. With that in mind, we devoted this year’s office outing to peeking over the garden fence of our profession.

Swiss-architects is pleased about Basel’s award-winning urban spaces

In today’s newsletter Swiss-architects.com are pleased that several urban-space designs have been included among Basel’s best buildings, a list containing iconic and large features and four buildings by Herzog & de Meuron. Two of these urban spaces were designed by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur.

Double Award!

Two of Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur’s projects were put on the list of best buildings in the cantons of Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt. They are the Klybeckquai in Basel and the Magnetareal in Pratteln. All the selected projects in Basel and Liestal were showcased in an exhibition between 31 October and 12 November 2018.

The party’s over – we’re still celebrating!

For one day on 18 Oct 2018 our office was transformed into a bar. We stepped away from our computers, turned our seating areas into a dance floor and lit up our beautiful courtyard with soft mood lighting. We would like to thank all our guests who came to celebrate ten years of Fontana with us. Here are some impressions of the party.

10 years Fontana Landscape Architecture

2008–2018

Guided Tour on Schüssinsel with Massimo Fontana

Massimo Fontana will give the regional group Biel-Seeland of the SIA (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects) insights into the planning and implementation of the Schüssinsel Biel as part of a guided tour on 24 August 2017.

Hagnau Muttenz: Residents Give Green Light

In June 2018 the residents gave their approval for the new plans for the Hagnau area in Muttenz. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has been involved in the co-operative planning process for the area since 2014. The island, which is currently isolated from the rest of the urban space, is to become a dense, urban quarter on the River Birs. We are now working to implement the guidelines we helped to develop into real, liveable outside spaces.

Stadtbaumeistertreffen 2018: Führung Schüssinsel

Once a year Switzerland’s city building planners come together to exchange their knowledge and expertise. At the meeting in June 2018 one of the items on the agenda was a visit to the Schüssinsel. Massimo Fontana took the heads of the municipal construction and planning offices on a tour of the park island.

Liestal’s Next Step for Its New Park on the Orisbach River

In 2016 Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur won the competition to redesign Liestal’s Postplatz square. As part of the construction of the new replacement building for the post office, the green corridor created by the Orisbach – currently channelled through pipes and partially covered by parking spaces – is to be given a new lease of life as an attractive connection between the station and the old town. The revised project has now been converted into a plan for the quarter and presented to the residents. The consultation process is to begin at the end of 2018.

New Play Islands open in Kannenfeldpark

Two new playgrounds have been opened in Basel’s Kannenfeldpark in time for the start of the holidays: the sand & water playground for littler ones and the climbing playground with tree trunks and ropes for older children are now complete, meaning that the last two of the five new play areas in the park are finished. These circular islands are perfect for playing with mud, splashing about, climbing, swinging and playing in the sand. The children have immediately claimed the new islands.

Art Basel – The Making of

The 49th Art Basel opened its doors on 13 June 2018. This year its exterior spaces will present an unusual sight: trees have temporarily entered the usually plantless courtyard of the exhibition and Ipsteinstrasse, providing a brief forest of leaves in among the art world. The caravan of plane trees will move on after the show. We will show you this tree journey, planned and executed by Fontana, in a short ‘making of’.

A Sea of Tulips in the Rose Garden: Kannenfeldpark in Bloom

In 2017 we redeveloped the rose garden in Kannenfeldpark in Basel. Now the sea of blossoms of the early flowering plants is showing itself for the first time in all its tender glory, before the roses take centre stage again in the redesigned garden. We invite you to go on a digital walk through our image gallery.

New Play Islands in Basel’s Kannenfeldpark

Mudlarking, splashing, climbing, swinging, playing in the sand – every one of these important activities has its own island, right in the middle of Basel’s time-honoured Kannenfeldpark. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has situated five play islands between the main paths, magnificent park trees and the flowering world of the old park in such a way that its special atmosphere remains unspoiled while children are nevertheless able to be wholly themselves here. The construction of the last two islands is now under way.

A Tree Trip Around the World in Kannenfeldpark

With its190 different tree species and varieties it is almost a tree collection: Kannenfeldpark in Basel. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has been contributing to its maintenance and development for years. The new tree guide published by the Basel Green Spaces Department now allows visitors to go on a tree trip around the world – all in Kannenfeldpark. It can be downloaded here: http://www.bs.ch

1st Prize Merian Gardens Basel

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has won the study project for the further development of the Merian Gardens in Basel. Formerly a country estate, the Merian Gardens are today surrounded by the city; they are now in need of the right form and function – a blend of scientific plant collection and public park.

Even More Gold for the Schüssinsel!

A new animal species has conquered the Schüssinsel in Biel: the Golden Rabbit award issued by Hochparterre. The architecture magazine issued its awards in the categories design, architecture and landscaping on 5 Dec 2017. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur received the highest award in the latter category for designing the park island in Biel. We are very pleased!

Postcard Landscapes

The Stadtgärtnerei (city green spaces department) Basel has chosen our transformations in Basel’s Kannenfeld Park as a postcard motif. It would appear we have created a pictutre-postcard landscape without even noticing!

1st Place, Tapetenmuseum (Wallpaper Museum) Kassel

The design put forward by Harry Gugger Studio in collaboration with Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has won the competition for the Deutsches Tapetenmuseum (German Wall Paper Museum) in Kassel.

Flaneur d’Or – Gold for the Schüssinsel

A golden December for the Schüssinsel: in addition to the golden Hochparterre award, the Schüssinsel in Biel, designed and implemented by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur, was also awarded the Flaneur d’Or 2017 by Pedestrian Mobility Switzerland.

Urban Wanderer Loderer on the Schüss Island

Urban wanderer Benedikt Loderer walked across Biel’s Schüss Island for Hochparterre, giving the ‘land fish’, as he calls the island, a critical inspection. His review can be found in the current Hochparterre issue 9/17, page 48.

Construction progress on the animal shelter of the two Basel half-cantons

The new animal shelter of the two Basel half-cantons is growing and the outside spaces are also beginning to take shape. The floor slabs are currently being cast: large-format, polygonal concrete slabs cast in situ that will have a formative impact on the appearance of the outside space.

Study Brief Landis + Gyr Site, Zug

Collaborating with Hosoya Schafer Architects, Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur will be one of five teams developing ideas for a new urban quarter in the centre of Zug. The study brief is to identify guidelines and opportunities for a holistic town planning concept so that the areas of the site that have already been built on can be extended and revived in a convincing manner.

Fontana Renews the Rose Garden in Kannenfeldpark Basel

For years Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur, commissioned by Stadtgärtnerei Basel, has overseen the development of the Kannenfeldpark in Basel, to secure the qualities and structures of the historic park, while at the same time delivering a lively space for today’s requirements. The rose garden, redeveloped to plans by Fontana, was opened in late June 2017.

Massimo Fontana newly appointed to the expert committee Biel

Massimo Fontana has been appointed to the expert committee on planning and construction matters of the town of Biel. The committee, made up of outside experts, advises the town’s authority responsible for approving planning and construction projects on the town planning, architectural and landscape design qualities of construction projects.

Creative Fast-track Approach for Dübendorf

Ideas for a new development in Dübendorf were developed in a small, creative setting and in an unusual manner: three landscape architecture teams, including Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur, were invited to a design charrette to spend two days working intensively to find solutions for high-quality outside structures.

Competition Success Bernstrasse Lucerne

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur, together with Luca Selva Architekten, has won the competition for a cooperative residential development in Lucerne with the design ‘forever young’. The submission solves the challenging location on a steep hillside and a through road with a clever balance of built-up space and outside space that counterbalance the location’s thoroughfare character with an inviting air of respite and tranquillity.

A Green Façade for the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute TPH is consolidating its premises, currently spread out all over Basel, in one new build in Allschwill. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur was commissioned with designing the outside space and will envelop the transparent timber, steel and glass building by the architectural office Kunz und Mösch in a tropical green veil.

Birth Hour of an Island – the Schüssinsel in Biel opens

While the disappearance of land that is not built on is lamented all over Switzerland, a new island has emerged in the Schüss river in Biel. A remarkable planning effort and political process has made the Schüssinsel (‘Schüss Island’) possible in a densely built up area. After a long construction period, the Stebler-Kanal was flooded on 18 May. And with that the redesigned piece of land finally became an island. The park island will be handed over to the public on 17 June.

Area Development Aarau Barracks

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur was selected along with Hosoya Schaefer Architects as one of three teams to submit a test plan for the Aarau Barracks. The inaccessible military complex in the middle of Aarau, the capital of canton Aargau, is to become a vibrant part of the town in the medium term. We are pleased to be working on one of the hotspots of urban densification in the canton.

Study Commission Merian Gardens Basel

The Merian Gardens, which became known thanks to the Grün 80exhibition, are not just Basel’s largest municipal garden; they are also home to an internationally significant plant collection; they are an agricultural test garden and they are the headquarters of Pro Specie Rara. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur is part of one of five teams participating in a study commission to explore the future development of the gardens in the context of the changing city.

Co-operative living at the Felix Platter Areal, Basel

The construction co-operative ‘wohnen und mehr’ wants to develop residential solutions fit for the future at the Felix Platter Areal in Basel. Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur, together with Bachelard Wagner Architekten and Reuter Architekten, is one of seven teams selected from 61 entries by the jury for this study commission.

Competition Success at Bruderholz, Basel

Residential apartment blocks are to be built on the land currently occupied by the SRF-Studio Bruderholz of the Radio- und Fernsehgenossenschaft Basel (RFB). In a study assignment consisting of five teams of designers the idea put forward by Morger Partner Architekten and Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur convinced the jury.

Regenerating Basel’s Kannenfeldpark

The Kannenfeldpark, a former cemetery in the heart of Basel, was transformed into a park in 1868 and opened to the public in the 1950s. Since 2004 Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has been overseeing its preservation, restoration and regeneration. The park, intensively used, will now be expanded to include a playground, and the rose garden will be given an overhaul.

Expo 2020 Dubai

Along with Holzer Kobler Architekturen Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur was one of three teams that participated in response to the invitations to submit study commissions for the Swiss Pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai.

600 Trees for the Schüssinsel

Winter is the time when vegetation comes to rest and so it is also the right time to plant trees. 605 trees and 850 bushes will provide greenery, structure and shade for the Schüssinsel in Biel, a previously inaccessible little island that we are enlarging and transforming into a park. The first trees are currently being placed and planted.

The Museum of the 20th Century, Berlin

Along with the architects working at Christ und Gantenbein, Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur was one of 42 teams participating in the competition for the Museum of the 20th Century.

Vulcano Zurich-Altstetten: Laying of the Foundation Stone

In 2013 the project by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur and Dominique Perrault Architekten was selected for the commission of a study. At the end of October 2016 the laying of the foundation stone for the three elegant high-rise towers at Zurich’s Altstetten Station was celebrated. The project’s intended completion date is 2018. It will therefore be a little while still before the impressive promenade, the roof gardens and the rear-facing park enter the implementation phase.

Rheinpark Weil: 2. Preis zu zweien und Überarbeitung

Im Wettbewerb um den Rheinpark Weil ging es nicht allein um die Sanierung und Umgestaltung des in die Jahre gekommenen Parks. Es waren auch Lösungen für eine durchgängige Rheinuferpromenande von Basel nach Weil und nicht zuletzt Ideen zur städtebaulichen Entwicklung gefragt. Der Vorschlag von Fontana kam an. Als eines von zwei Büros wurden wir zur Überarbeitung eingeladen.

International Architecture Award 2016 for Klybeck Quay

The design of Klybeck Quay as a temporary promenade – a vibrant interim solution for the gradual relocation of the Swiss Rhine harbour from central Basel to the city’s outskirts – first earned the Spanish Rosa Barba Award and now also the 2016 International Architecture Award.

Successful Commission Postplatz Liestal

The project by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur and Christ & Gantenbein Architekten won first place in the competition for the Postplatz square – at the intersection between the station, Liestal’s old town and the cutting of the Orisbach stream.

Flying Bridges on Schüss Island

The excavators which are making the island take shape are still at work, but two new bridges have already been installed. On 19 May, the final one of the three steel bridges that will in future connect the town of Biel/Bienne with its new park will be moved in the presence of the press.

Der Kannenfeldpark im Gartenjahr 2016

Angesichts des Drucks auf unsere Parks und Freiräume hat der Schweizer Heimatschutz das Jahr 2016 zum Gartenjahr erklärt. Der Basler Kannenfeldpark ist nicht nur Teil des Rahmenprogramms mit Führungen in der ganzen Schweiz, sondern auch in die Neuauflage der Publikation „Die schönsten Gärten und Parks der Schweiz“ aufgenommen worden.

Panel Discussion at the IMMO 2016

Massimo Fontana discussed the significance and function of outside spaces with regard to real estate developments with Tobias Achermann (CEO Zug Real Estate) in the presence of Switzerland’s most important investors at the Immo 2016 on 3 February 2016.

Studienauftrag Henz Areal, Suhr

Testplanung Bahnhof Engelberg

Die Schüssinsel nimmt Form an

Aktuelle Impressionen von der Schüssinsel Biel.

Büroausflug Herbst 2015 im Aargau

Study commission, first prize for the Pumpstation Basel

Lecture at the Urban Design Forum, Seoul

Im Rahmen des “Urban Design Forum 2015” in Seoul, Korea sprach Massimo Fontana im Vortrag “From context to context” über europäische Landschaftsarchitektur und die aktuelle Rolle der Landschaftsarchitekten in Europa.

Neue Webseite für Landschaftsarchitektur

Wer mehr über das Berufsbild des Landschaftsarchitekten erfahren möchte, kann dies nun auf einer neuen Webseite tun.

“Tierheim beider Basel” groundbreaking

Basel: Riverside impressions

Since September 2013 the fences along the Klybeckquai in Basel have given way to an open promenade, harbour activity has shrunk to make more room for the public.

A Walk-in Lenticular Image

In the spring of 2015 an unusual garden project was completed in Riehen.

Augusta Raurica – Ancient City in the Park

A year ago the redesign of Switzerland’s best-known excavation site was completed. The ancient Roman city of Augusta Raurica just outside Basel has since attracted countless school trips and interested adults.

Archaeological finds on the Schüssinsel

More than 150 test excavations have revealed that the Schüssinsel, which Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur is currently redesigning as a park island in the centre of Biel, has been an ‘urban’ centre since ancient times:

Panel Discussion with Massimo Fontana about Landscape Change

The Merian Gardens in Brüglingen near Basel were the venue on 5 May 2015 for a discussion on landscape change, the role of land-use planning, and of landscape architecture.

Visitor Centre at the Sempach Ornithological Centre now Open

Since 2 May, it has been open once more to visitors without wings: In the presence of federal councillor Doris Leuthard, the Sempach Ornithological Centre opened its new visitor centre on 2 May 2015.

2015 office excursion in the Zug Region

On this year’s office excursion, the Fontana team sought inspiration where Switzerland is growing fastest, namely the Zug region.

New Greenery for the Schüssinsel

All gardens and parks start, by definition, with – partial – destruction. The old must give way to the new. Things are no different on the Schüssinsel: for flood defences, for its use as a park, and for the planting of ecologically and visually high-grade vegetation, numerous trees have been felled on the island in order to create space for something new.

Final Work on the Sempach Ornithological Station

2 May is the date for the inauguration of the new Sempach Ornithological Station.

Lush Urban Green for Man and Animal

The two Basels’ animal shelter is getting a new home.

A New Village Entrance for Oberkirch

Together with Morger Dettli Architekten, Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur has been commissioned with the planning and implementation of a new building complex in the centre of Oberkirch. Kick-off was in January 2015, completion is envisaged for 2017. 

Vulcano in Zürich-Altstetten bewilligt

Ein neuer, alter Hain am Hang in Oberwil, Zug

Nahe der Bahnstation Oberwil in Zug ist eine neue Wohnüberbauung im Entstehen. Für einmal werden die Anwohner mitten in einen freundlichen Hain aus grossen Föhren und Vogelbeerbäumen ziehen statt jahrelang auf das Wachstum junger Bäume zu warten, ehe sie wieder im Schatten eines ehrwürdigen alten Baumes sitzen können. In den letzten Wochen wurden 80 stattliche Bäume gepflanzt.

Landscape experiment at architektur 0.14

For the second time, Fontana Landscape Architecture has taken part in this architectural exhibition: From 23 to 26 October 2014, the experimental "Lollipop Landscape" could be seen, enjoyed and co-designed in the Maag Halle in Zurich.

Rascher Baufortschritt in Carmel, Menzingen

Baubeginn bei der Vogelwarte Sempach

Vollendung am Rütiring in Riehen

Rosa Barba Prize 2013

Projektwettbewerb Murifeld, Bern

Ceres, Pratteln

Studienauftrag Sonova, Stäfa

Architektur 0.14

Nach einem Jahr Pause nimmt Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur zum zweiten Mal mit einem konzeptionellen Beitrag an der Ausstellung teil.

Amors Gärten, Ein lustvoller Spaziergang durch die schönsten Schweizer Pärke

Projektwettbewerb “UZB und Universität Basel”

Wegebau im Rütiring in Riehen

Vortrag “Living with Water”

Steinreben, Reinach

Feldpark, Zug

Hauptsitz Korean Telekom – We hit the top!

Bronzemodell, Augusta Raurica – Die Einweihung

Bronzemodell, Augusta Raurica – Die Installation

Lecture at the Institute for Architecture, FHNW, Basel

In his lecture "A house on a slope" on 22 October 2013 Massimo Fontana has presented the "Haus Ackermann" built in Therwil in 1963 .

Ein virtueller Hafenspaziergang beim Klybeckquai

Bronzemodell, Augusta Raurica – Die Anfertigung

Studienauftrag “Vulcano”

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur gewinnt mit Dominique Perrault Architecture den Studienauftrag "Vulcano" in Zürich-Altstetten.

Landschaftskongress IBA Basel 2020/BSLA

Unter dem Titel "Blau vernetzt" findet am Freitag, 25. Oktober, der Landschaftskogress IBA Basel 2020/BSLA statt.

Eröffnung Klybeckquai

Die Promenade am Klybeckquai wurde offiziell für den Langsamverkehr eröffnet. Künftig können Velofahrer und Fussgänger direkt unterhalb der Dreirosenbrücke ins Hafengebiet gelangen.

Baustellenessen auf dem Magnetareal in Pratteln

Mit einem gemeinsamen Mittagsessen dankt die Bauherrschaft allen beteiligten Planern und Handwerkern.

Studienauftrag “Feldbreite”

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur gewinnt mit MVRDV Architekten den Studienauftrag für die Wohnüberbauung "Feldbreite" in Emmen.

Dominique Perrault Architecture – Territoires et Horizons

As part of the monographic exhibition "Dominique Perrault Architecture- Territoires et Horizons", the study project "Vulcano", which Fontana developed in collaboration with Dominique Perrault, was presented at the EPFL from 05.06.13 -29.06.13.

Ja zur Schüssinsel

Das Bieler Stimmvolk hat am 09.06.2013 mit deutlicher Mehrheit dem Bau der neuen Schüssinsel zugestimmt!

Wettbewerb “Limmatfeld”

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur gewinnt mit Duplex Architekten den Wettbewerb für die Wohnüberbauung "Limmatfeld" in Dietikon.

Büroausflug Lausanne

Der diesjährige Büroausflug der Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur führte nach Lausanne.

Klybeckquai, die Zwischennutzer sind da

Bei den Römern wird gebaut

5 Jahre Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur

Ein Föhrenhain entsteht…

Baustart am Rütiring in Riehen

Am Klybeckquai kann der Frühling kommen…

Nach diversen Verzögerungen können die Zwischennutzer auf der Klybeckinsel nun vorwärts machen. Die Verträge sind im Trockenen und der Termin zum Saisonstart steht.

Veranstaltungsreihe zur Landschaftsarchitektur

Mit dem Vortrag "Literaturgeographie oder die Kartografierung literarischer Landschaften" von Dr. Phil. Barbara Piatti, startet am 28. Februar die diesjährige Vortragsreihe der Stiftung Gartenbau Bibliothek. Die Vorträge finden im Vortragssaal der Schule für Gestaltung auf der Lyss statt. Adresse: Spalenvorstadt 2, 4051 Basel.

the swiss touch in landscape architecture

Die Ausstellung "the swiss touch in landscape architecture" geht auf Weltreise.

Klybeckquai Basel

Der Winter hat gerade erst begonnen, doch die Vorbereitungen für die Eröffnung des Klybeckquai in Basel sind bereits in vollem Gange.

Exhibition Architektur 0.12

Fontana Landscape Architecture looks back on a successful exhibition "Architectur 0.12". Many exciting and stimulating conversations and discussions took place with guests, friends and planning partners from the Swiss architectural scene. The exhibition concept of "Landscape in Process" met with a great response. We would like to sincerely thank all visitors who helped shape our postcard landscape.

Baustellenessen Feldpark

Mit einem gemeinsamen Mittagsessen dankt die Bauherrschaft allen beteiligten Planern und Handwerkern.

Testplanung Kantonsspitalareal Zug

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur gewinnt mit Renzo Bader Architekten den städtebaulichen Studienauftrag für das ehemalige Kantonsspitalareal in Zug.

Guided tour in the Kannenfeld Park

At the IFPRA Congress from 5 to 7 September 2012, Massimo Fontana introduced the international congress participants to the Kannenfeldpark in Basel.

Büroausflug nach Winterthur

Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur besucht zeitgenössische Freiräume und historische Gartenanlagen in Winterthur.

Baubeginn bei Carmel

Seit Mai 2012 laufen die Abbrucharbeiten. Im August wurde ein historischer Sodbrunnen gefunden...

Rohbau Feldpark

Der Rohbau der ersten Etappe des Feldparks in Zug ist erstellt.

APH, zweite Bauetappe

Nach der erfolgreichen Erstellung der ersten Etappe, wird nun intensiv an der zweiten Etappe gearbeitet.

Specific, spécifique, specifico – Landscape Architecture from Switzerland

Wahlenpark and Leutschenpark will be shown as part of the exhibition of the Architekturforum Zürich from 24.05.2007 to 14.07.2007.

Exhibition: the swiss touch in landscape architecture

Fontana Landscape Architecture is represented with five projects in the exhibition on Swiss landscape architecture by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia and EPFL!

Groundbreaking Ceremony in Seoul

Am 3. Mai fand der Spatenstich für die erste Etappe des neuen Hauptsitzes für die Koreanische Telekom statt.

Baumschulbesuche in Seoul

Für das Projekt "Hauptsitz Korean Telekom" wurden verschiedene Baumschulen in Südkorea besucht.

Panel discussion: “How is a global workforce shaping the Basel region?”

At the International Conference "Basel: Small City - Global City" from 13 to 17 October 2011 - organised by AIA Europe - Massimo Fontana represented the perspective of landscape architecture in the panel discussion.

Exhibition: Zürcher Gartenlust, New Parks für Zürich

As part of the exhibition, Wahlenpark and Leutschenpark, designed by Massimo Fontana, will also be on display from 27.08.2003 to 25.10.2003.

Eröffnung der Nussbaum AG im Trimbach

Teamausflug auf den Gotthard

Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss des Bauprojektes hat die Bam Swiss AG und die Multi Development Switzerland AG das gesamte Planerteam Erlenmatt Galerie, Basel zu einem Wochenende auf den Gotthard eingeladen.

Neue Bäume für den Kannenfeldpark

Die Erneuerung und Ergänzung des Baumbestandes in Kannenfeldpark geht mit der Pflanzung von Eichen, Ahorne und Kastanien weiter.

Lecture by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur @ :mlzd, Biel

Within the lecture series at :mlzd Architekten, Biel, Massimo Fontana presented the work and viewpoint of Fontana Landscape Architects.