Info letter
Dear readers,
Every year I am surprised at how quickly December has come and Christmas is approaching, and every year at this time I make a resolution to start all my end-of-year activities a little earlier next year so that I can enjoy the peace and tranquillity so often attributed to Advent.
year-end activities a little earlier next year so that I can enjoy the peace and tranquillity that Advent is so often associated with. By the time the second candle is lit every year, I have to admit to myself that good intentions are one thing, but reality is another. If this sounds familiar to you, then you can probably also understand the joy that comes from having tackled projects - albeit "at the last minute" - and brought them to a successful conclusion. I am particularly pleased that, as in previous years, this INFO letter has been sent to you in good time before Christmas and that, with the help of many members of the Institute, it has been possible to produce it in this form in a very short time and despite a full schedule. Thank you for all your contributions,
thematic and editorial suggestions! It's always nice to see how smoothly the cogs here at the Institute mesh when it counts.
So now, dear readers, you have the opportunity to read about what kept the Institute and the association busy in the 2024/25 academic year, what was achieved and what changes were made. The most significant change for the Institute and its members was certainly the renaming of the "Faculty of Architecture" to "Faculty of Architecture and Landscape". A long overdue but not self-evident step.
step. Of course, we also report - every year - on the composition of the teams and the work of the Chairs, on outstanding graduates and on special events outside of everyday study and work life.
With regard to our association, after last year's stagnation, I consider the biggest achievement to be the significant increase in membership figures by 10 percent to 66 supporters. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have tirelessly drummed up support at every opportunity. An important part of our association's mission is to promote the training of young
young landscape architects, also in a very direct form. Against the background of rising prices everywhere, participation in excursions, for example, would be a very or too high financial burden for many students without the subsidy for their own contribution from the association.
Therefore, please continue to remain loyal to us, draw attention to the association and its cause wherever possible, recruit new members or donations and feel free to contact us if you have any ideas on how we could support teaching and research at the Institute. On behalf of the entire Executive Board, I would like to thank you for your past and future commitment.
commitment. And: Perhaps we will see you at the "Association Table" on June 12, 2026 at the summer party (see p. 4), because as Walter Matthau so wisely put it
"For good table talk, it's not so much what's on the table that matters,
but what's on the chairs." Back to Advent and the approaching end of the year. I wish you an excited and positive
positive view of the coming year, relaxing days between the years, happy holidays and an Advent season that is fulfilled according to your individual standards. And if, as the poet and aphorist Gudrun Kropp suggests for Advent, you take the time to think about what is worth taking time for, then I would be delighted if you could spare a few minutes for our INFO letter.
Every year again: stay with us!
Dr. Kathrin Seidler (Deputy Chairwoman) in December 2025
You can find the declaration of membership and other forms on the association's forms pages.