Conference and Design Studio Lake Access

Carinthia 2024

Review

Conference and Designing Lake Access, Carinthia 2024

Around 70 interested individuals from a wide range of disciplines—including planning, tourism management, politics and administration, representatives from the Austrian Federal Forests, as well as engaged members of local initiatives and associations—gathered from September 19 to 20 for a lake conference in Sekirn on the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee. [1] The event was organized by the Architecture House Carinthia in cooperation with the Institute of Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Design at TU Wien (Research Area Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning / FoB landscape). The venue was the summer retreat of the Vienna Boys’ Choir in Sekirn—one of the few areas on Lake Wörthersee that, outside of the summer months when the choir is in residence, is temporarily accessible for university workshops and other cultural and educational collaborations.

Coordinated by Volker Dienst—former choirboy, architectural culture mediator, and project coordinator for the site—there have already been several collaborations with universities in recent years (including TU Wien’s Institutes of Building Design and the AA – Architectural Association School of Architecture London, partly in cooperation with local associations). These collaborations focused on developing concepts for the site’s renovation and discussing ideas for long-term cooperation. Additionally, a wide-ranging engagement with the surrounding region took place. These projects can serve as models not only for creative, community-oriented approaches to lakefront development but also for the general handling of buildings and open spaces that remain unused or inaccessible for much of the year.

In the summer semester of 2024, students from architecture and spatial planning at TU Wien’s landscape research group, supervised by Judith Leitner, Nikolaus Gartner, and Susanne Glatz-Jorde, addressed the topic of lake access. The primary focus was on Lake Wörthersee, where only a small portion of the shoreline is publicly accessible. Much of the lake’s edge consists of concrete walls, stone blocks, and docks, making it difficult terrain for aquatic life as well. The students conducted research, interviewed experts, and analyzed shoreline areas around Wörthersee and other Carinthian lakes. From September 11 to 20, the group spent a project week in Sekirn (Municipality of Maria Wörth) to continue developing their designs and strategies for specific lake access points, shoreline paths, communal uses, conservation, and nature-oriented shoreline design. A two-day lake conference concluded the project week.

Lake Conference 2024

A key goal of the conference was to address ecological questions alongside the issue of privatization: What legal and design options exist for improving accessibility—from lakefront paths and mobility concepts to the opening of bathing areas beyond the summer season? How can shorelines be designed in a more nature-friendly way? What broader social and ecological rules are needed, especially in managing sensitive lakeside habitats?

The program featured lectures by experts in landscape planning, architecture, aquatic ecology, water management, and tourism, as well as contributions and discussions with representatives of initiatives from lake regions across Austria and Switzerland.

Following an introduction by curator Judith Leitner, Wolfgang Grillitsch and Elke Knöß-Grillitsch (Peanutz Architects) presented “A View of Houses with Lake Views and the Remaining Public Space.” In 2014, they had explored the spatial development around Wörthersee and designed utopias as part of a Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky Project Fellowship. [2] The visual obstruction of the lake by walls and hedges, they argued, also obstructs the development of larger visions and concepts—visions that were still present decades ago, for example during the time when Rudolf Wurzer was Carinthia’s state planner after WWII.

Barbara Kogelnig (Carinthia’s Water Management Department) and Georg Santner (Carinthian Institute for Lake Research) provided an overview of ecological principles for water management at Wörthersee. The lake’s ecological status—regarding macrophytes (visible aquatic plants) and hydromorphology—was rated only “moderate,” requiring EU Water Framework Directive measures to improve it. Chemically, the water quality is fine thanks to major investments in sewage systems and treatment plants. However, problems remain in land use and shoreline development: Only 38% of the shoreline is unbuilt; 30% is covered by hard concrete walls, and block dumping (13%), over 1,000 docks, and around 280 boathouses (15%) have significantly altered the shoreline—negatively impacting plants, birds, fish, and other aquatic creatures. Improvements could include reed protection fences and nature-friendly shoreline restoration, or addressing root causes such as limiting motorboat traffic, as wave action also harms sensitive habitats.

During a walk to the Vienna Boys’ Choir’s lake access point, participants examined the shoreline conditions and discussed possibilities. In the afternoon, perspectives from other lake regions were shared. Under the title “Long Walk Through the Reeds,” Nikolaus Gartner [3] and Judith Leitner presented the specific access issues at Lake Neusiedl. Landscape planner Susanne Glatz-Jorde discussed her experiences managing protected areas at Lake Wörthersee, such as Lendspitz-Maiernigg—important recreation areas for the city of Klagenfurt. Landscape architect Andreas Winkler showcased designs for the Maria Wörth peninsula and the site of the former lake station in Gmunden (Lake Traunsee). Lara Braun presented her 2022 architecture diploma project for a hotel on that very site and stood in for Judith Eiblmayr, who was unable to speak about lake access and “lost spaces” at Lake Attersee.

Right to the Lakes

Julia Gerber Rüegg, co-founder of a shoreline path initiative in the Zurich region, and her partner Willy Rüegg (author of the 2021 book SEEUFERWEG on Lake Zurich) spoke about their campaign, which faces strong opposition citing nature protection and cost. The question “Is private ownership the best nature conservation?”—because of reduced noise and litter—is clearly answered with “No” in their case. Where shorelines are dominated by concrete walls, there’s little left to protect. However, there is potential for improvement, requiring changes across multiple plots. As the state is responsible for public waters, it is also accountable for revitalization and dealing with any legacy pollution. [4] This would be too much for individuals alone. Nature-oriented shoreline paths, paired with awareness-building and infrastructure, could significantly improve ecological conditions.

In Carinthia, both bottom-up and top-down efforts to improve the situation have taken place. In 2017, signatures were collected for the Carinthian Lakes People’s Petition, opposing the sale of public lakefront land and demanding more public access. [5] However, the petition’s main demand—halting the sale of publicly owned shorelines—was not fulfilled.

Around the same time, the regional spatial planning department launched a process to develop rules for managing lakes, involving experts and citizens. In 2018, a series of lake conferences was held in cooperation with the Architecture House Carinthia, and in 2020, a Lake Handbook was published—though not without difficulties. [6]

Some Austrian state constitutions have enshrined public access to lakes more strongly: “The general public’s access to mountains, lakes, rivers, and natural beauty must be ensured—while respecting property rights.” This was added as Article 7a to the Carinthian constitution in 2022. But what does the “right to nature” mean in practice—especially in a real estate market where lakefront plots continue to be sold off despite protests?

In the panel discussion “Right to the Lakes,” Julia Gerber Rüegg, Volker Dienst, Gerhard Godescha, and Walter Polesnik (initiators of the Carinthian People’s Petition) shared their experiences. The evening lecture by architect and writer Lydia Mittermayr brought the focus to the Salzkammergut region: Swimming. On the Impact of Lake Proximity on Land and Residents. From Wet Meadows, Wild Swim Spots, and Expensive Parking Lawns.

Discussions & Excursions

On the second day, Peter Peschel (CEO of the Wörthersee-Rosental Tourism Region) presented international projects on shoreline enhancement and ideas for the Wörthersee, where many lake baths are in need of renovation and closed outside the summer season.

Then, several parallel discussion sessions—designed and moderated by students—took place. To support the dialogues, students prepared posters and booklets. Interactive maps were used to collect “scandals and potentials,” document free lake access points around Wörthersee, and address nature-oriented shoreline design. One group focused on pedestrian and cycling safety on the southern lake road. Another examined the Vienna Boys’ Choir’s lake access. A third developed a green space concept for Buberlemoos in Pörtschach, based on wetlands and nature reserves research.

After a walk to Reifnitz—where David Calas and Barbara Calas-Reiberger (studio calas) presented their town center development ideas—participants took a boat ride to Klagenfurt with Heimo Kramer, an expert on “Wörthersee Architecture.” The cruise offered views of historic lake villas and revealed how extensively the hills around the lake have been built up—largely with seasonal apartments. The trip ended at Klagenfurt’s lido, which turned 100 in 2024. Adjacent lies the Natura 2000 site Lendspitz-Mainernigg, where access to the lake and wetlands is being balanced with visitor management and protection of the reed belt.

Ideas & Potential

Beyond protected areas, shorelines in many communities are heavily built up—not just at promenades and boat docks, but also on private plots. Detailed maps in the KAGIS lake map show this for Wörthersee. [7] Orthophotos reveal the high density of docks and other lake structures. Private owners are key actors in improving the lake’s ecological condition.

One student group (S. Kaufmann, R. Leißner, A. Marold) created the UFER KONKRET PLAN (“SHORE CONCRETE PLAN”)—a fold-out map offering basic knowledge and improvement suggestions. Professionally developed and paired with events, this could be distributed to shoreline residents.

Despite extensive privatization, there are still larger green spaces that could become publicly accessible. The goal isn’t to create new lidos, but quiet places by the water where people can walk and enjoy nature, respecting the needs of wildlife—and perhaps take a dip.

Some controversial sales have taken place recently, like the Villa Bercht estate in Reifnitz, once bought by the community for public recreation, now sold and inaccessible. [8] The Maria Wörth peninsula also has a design by Andreas Winkler to improve access and restore hardened shores.

Currently, public access at the southern lake shore is limited to steep, leftover plots along the road, unsuitable for development or hotel leases. One visionary idea: the Republic of Austria could purchase the Horten Foundation site in Sekirn—a hidden gem behind high hedges and fences.

Outlook 2025/26

Right after the conference, Gabriele Hadl brought the model and posters for Buberlemoos back to Pörtschach. A symposium in the community is planned for 2025 to present the students’ project. In the summer semester of 2025, another interdisciplinary lake design studio took place at TU Wien, this time focused on Lake Attersee. A public event in the region is planned, and another nationwide lake conference may follow in 2026.

Judith Leitner, January 2025