Competition Franz-Jonas-Platz
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| Principal use | Public Space |
| Year | 2025 |
| Project lead | simzim Ingenieurbüro für Landschaftsarchitektur |
| Design team Mostlikely | Christian Höhl, Mark Neuner |
| Competition entry | |
Franz-Jonas-Platz is a busy location that currently serves primarily as a transport hub. Tram and bus stops, traffic areas and a number of large plane trees characterise the atmosphere of the square. However, the current situation offers little in the way of amenity, due to a lack of shaded areas and functional seating, for example. The aim is to redesign Franz-Jonas-Platz as a high-quality place to spend time and a transit hub.
Common Space Franz-Jonas-Platz
As a common space, Franz-Jonas-Platz has an impact beyond its immediate surroundings, enhancing the area as a vibrant, climate-resilient urban space. In the spirit of neighbourhood development, the station becomes a social hub with a variety of uses. The square is transformed from a mere transit point into a high-quality urban gathering place. A continuous green belt extends the existing tree islands with their plane trees and, through targeted planting and street furniture, develops them into cool places to linger. Text panels in various languages reference Franz Jonas and lend the site a sense of identity.
Circular Materials
The concept of reuse plays a central role in the choice of materials – for the flooring, the roof structures and the furnishings alike. The new paving stones are made from recycled materials. The existing paving is not disposed of, but broken up and reused for new projects.
Green roofs as blue-green infrastructure
Green roofs form a central element of the design. Three types are distinguished: pergolas, bus shelters and the existing large canopy covering the main entrance to the station. These structures create shaded and cool recreational areas by: extending the green spaces to a second, elevated level through intensively greened roof surfaces; generating cooling through evaporation using mist and water features; providing targeted shade via wooden slats; integrating high-quality seating to define recreational spaces; using light as a design element, and giving Franz-Jonas-Platz its own distinct identity.
Pergolatypes for different outdoor living experiences Various types of pergola are used to create a variety of outdoor experiences: green roofs to promote biodiversity, wooden slats to provide shade, and integrated water features, such as waterfalls.
Bus shelters – Sleek steel structures, Green roofs, Sturdy seating 
Existing roof – Main entrance 
