Kuhn Landscape Architects - a portrait of contemporary European landscape architecture

The landscape architecture studio Kuhn Landschaftsarchitekten was founded only in 2011. It emerged from the renaming of the previously successfully operating studio Kuhn Truninger Landschaftsarchitekten, the reason being the death of one of the founding members Richard Truninger. Stephan Kuhn and Richard Truninger established the studio Kuhn Truninger Landschaftsarchitekten in 1998 and together acted as co-owners in the company and project management until 2007, when Richard Truninger passed away. The company continued under the same name until 2010, by which time all projects that Richard Truninger was involved in were completed. Currently, Stephan Kuhn owns and runs an independent landscape architecture studio, with significant team members including lead architect Almut Keifer (collaborating since 2007) and lead architect Tobias Häne (collaborating since 2010).
The studio specializes in the design of landscape modifications in both the public and private sectors. Among their most significant public projects are the exteriors of the Lochergut department store in Zurich (2006), the forecourt of the Tessinerplatz train station and tram terminus in Zurich (2006), the expansion of the cemetery in Weiach (2004, competition 2001), the park and children's playground Louis – Häfliger – Park in Zurich Oerlikon (2003, competition 2000), or the exteriors of the Swing department store – The Swing Garden in Wallisellen (2002). Private projects include private gardens in Zurich (2006), Hüttwilen (2006), or Grüningen (2004-06), as well as the greenery of residential complexes Sidi-Areal in Winterthur (2008-09), Glattpark in Opfikon (2005-07), or Aspholz in Zurich (2007). Their projects have been awarded, for instance, the Silberen Hase – 2nd prize for landscape architecture awarded in Switzerland (Sidi-Areal project in Winterthur, 2009) or a nomination for the European Prize for Urban Public Space at the fourth European Biennial of Landscape Architecture in Barcelona (expansion of the cemetery in Weiach, 2004).
The projects of Kuhn Landschaftsarchitekten aim to maximize the potential of the given site while respecting its original expression, and they primarily seek to avoid a cohesive formal canon of design, utilizing the natural appearance of simple materials and their inherent properties.