UM Science Courtyard Garners Design Praise
Before the Storm, Thornbird, Dynamite, Gingersnap, Wonders Never Cease, Golden Panther, and Sea of Love – these are the tall bearded irises planted in the Science Courtyard on the Fort Garry Campus in 2021. They thrive alongside native grasses and herbaceous perennials, coexisting in harmony. Protected by an insulating winter snow cover, these exotic irises endure the harsh prairie climate. If you could experience their colors and fragrances, you would understand the quiet beauty they bring to the courtyard.
In spring 2017, Professors Dietmar Straub and Anna Thurmayr from the Department of Landscape Architecture were approached by faculty and students from the Faculty of Science about collaborating on a campus project. It quickly became clear that everyone involved was eager to challenge conventional design and construction standards. Together, they embraced creative experimentation and integrated research, seizing a rare opportunity to shape a space with both strong presence and distinctive character.
Over the past few years, a once-ordinary campus lawn has transformed into a biodiversity hotspot, attracting insects, birds, and other wildlife. The courtyard invites lively discussions about nature and prompts reflection on life in the Anthropocene. Generating buzz across campus, the project raises awareness of the impact landscape architecture can have. Today, the Science Courtyard is a place where students and faculty gather, celebrate, and find a peaceful retreat from the busy academic environment. Though it won’t rescue the world, this project is a small pioneer, showing how creative design can transform space and inspire the community.
In March 2025, the Science Courtyard was nominated for the German Landscape Architecture Prize, a biennial competition organized by the Federation of German Landscape Architects (Bund Deutscher Landschaftsarchitekten, BDLA). On May 1, 2025, it was awarded the Prairie Design Award of Merit in the Landscape Architecture category, with the celebration held at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon.
Dietmar Straub
For more information:
https://landezine-award.com/science-courtyard/
https://homes.winnipegfreepress.com/winnipeg-real-estate-articles/renovation-design/U-of-M-courtyard-receives-prestigious-award/id-8625
Project Collaborators
PROJECT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS
Straub Thurmayr Landscape Architects and Urban Designers
Dietmar Straub, Anna Thurmayr
Professors, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture,
University of Manitoba
CONTRACTOR
Johannes Zinn, Konrad Zinn
J&K Zinn Landscape Contractors
Box 45, Starbuck, MB
CLIENT
Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba
Krystyna Koczanski
Associate Dean, Administration
Trevor Schultz, Business Manager
Seema Goel, Program Outreach and STEAM Coordinator
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Javier Uribe, Vanessa Jukes
Architectural & Engineering Services
Physical Plant, Fort Garry Campus, University of Manitoba
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF RECORD
David Wagner Associates Inc.
317 Laidlaw Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB