by
Waterfront Redesign, Potsdam
A restricted landscape architecture competition to redesign three waterfront public open spaces along Potsdam’s Griebnitzsee shoreline, in Germany.
On the southern shore of Lake Griebnitzsee in Potsdam, the City of Potsdam is launching a restricted realisation and ideas competition for the transformation of an important public waterfront landscape. The project seeks innovative proposals from qualified landscape architects, with collaboration from disciplines such as scenography, design, art, communication design and water engineering encouraged, to reshape three distinct lakeside open spaces into a coherent public realm. The competition is limited to 15 teams, including five directly invited practices, with up to ten further participants selected through a pre-qualification process based on professional competence, financial capacity and a relevant built reference project.
The brief calls for an integrated landscape vision that balances ecological protection, biodiversity improvement, inclusive recreation and strong local identity, while ensuring a continuous pedestrian and cycling connection along the shoreline. Teams must demonstrate experience through a completed open space project of comparable complexity, including a minimum construction value of €250k and delivery of full design and implementation stages. The shortlisted competitors will then develop design proposals that enhance public access, heritage sensitivity and long-term sustainability, supporting Potsdam’s wider development planning for the lakeside edge and creating new vibrant meeting spaces, particularly for younger generations.
Location
Sector
landscape-public-realm, urban-masterplanning
Intervention
Renovation
Website
Tender Portal
Tender Stage
Qualification for design competition
Deadline
2 Mar 2026
Project Value/Scale
€2.3 million
Consultant Team
Landscape architect
Recommended collaborators:
Scenic designers / artists / communication designers
Water engineering specialist
Recommended collaborators:
Scenic designers / artists / communication designers
Water engineering specialist
Submission Criteria
15 teams will be shortlisted to the design competition. 5 will be directly invited and 10 chosen through pre-qualification.
If more than 10 applicants are eligible selection will be by lottery.
1st Prize – €31k, 2nd Prize – €20k, 3rd Prize – €12k
2 honourable mentions – €8k each
Qualification Deliverables:
– Application form
– Declaration of No exclusion Grounds
– Proof of professional qualification
– Turnover declaration – €250k per year over the last three financial years
Reference Project:
– Completed after 1 May 2016
– HOAI Fee Zone IV or higher
– Construction value ≥ €250k net (DIN 276 Cost Groups 200–500)
– At least HOAI Work Stages 2–8
– Consortium declaration (if applicable)
– Declaration of subcontracting or reliance on other companies
– Commitment declaration by third-party companies
– Declaration of Compliance with EU Restrictive Measures (Russia sanctions)
– Brandenburg Procurement Act Minimum Wage Compliance Declaration – Commitment that employees are paid at least €13 gross/hour
– Minimum wage compliance agreement for subcontractors / labour providers
Design Competition Deliverables:
– Landscape design concept / guiding idea
– Site layout and open space masterplan
– Design response to ecology and biodiversity
– Public use and social function strategy
– Integration of shoreline walking and cycling route
– Heritage and context sensitivity
– Feasibility and cost awareness
– Presentation material for jury review