The_Rabensteiner_2026

2026 Edition

The Rabensteiner Sustainable Garden Center with Architectural Charm

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A Gardening World of 5,600 m² on Magdeburg’s Elbe Riverbank

Garden Haven with Unique Appeal

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City Garden Center –

Attracting Customers in Urban Areas VERTIC AL ARCHITEC TURE M AKES THE BEST USE O F SPACE. As cities expand, demands on infrastructure and changes in consumer behavior are intensifying, along with the need to create compact green retreats in limited urban spaces. This presents a compelling challenge for traditional garden centers: how can a space be designed to meet the specific needs of

urban audiences while remaining sustainable over the long term?

A Concept for the City of Tomorrow In response to current urban development and social trends, Rabensteiner

has designed a city garden center concept housed in a multi-story glass building. Rather than expanding horizontally, the concept leverages vertical architecture and compact efficiency – perfect for revitalizing vacant sites in central urban locations. The City Garden Center brings together all the features of a traditional garden retail outlet while meeting the expectations of urban customers. A smart click & collect and delivery system lets customers explore and find inspiration without transport hassles, making shopping convenient and stress-free. Its central location and excellent public transport connections also help attract new customer groups.

An Ingenious Concept The model developed by Rabensteiner requires a floor area of no more than around 1,000 m². Multiple levels provide a range of visual perspectives across the interior. A centrally located atrium brings in additional daylight, while a surrounding ramp ensures accessibility and creates an engaging, experiential journey.

To provide a place of inspiration in the often hectic city center, the interior layout follows a clear narrative, guiding visitors along a path from top to bottom: Using vacant spaces in city centers as potential for modern urban garden centers.

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EDITORIAL

Crafting the Future with Insight and Passion Dear readers!

We live in a rapidly changing world. As cities grow denser and consumer behavior evolves, the desire for nature, interaction, and quality remains.

This is exactly where our feature article of the year begins: the visionary “City Garden Center” concept shows how retail facilities within a greenhouse can unlock new economic, architectural, and sustainable opportunities, even in urban city centers.

form, and vision unite. What do all these projects have in common? The ambition to not only build the future, but to actively shape it. This is exactly where we step in: bringing ideas, expertise, and dedication.

May this read inspire you and give you the courage to break new ground.

Sincerely,

The projects featured in this issue of “The Rabensteiner” reflect this philosophy as well: from the striking new building for the Gillet family, to innovative nurseries in our home region of South Tyrol, and a light-flooded greenhouse with event facilities. They all showcase what can be achieved when function,

Klaus Wierer

CONTINUATION OF COVER STORY “CITY GARDEN CENTERS – ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS IN URBAN AREAS”

3RD FLOOR: SEASONAL

Seasonal plants

– Rooftop greenhouse with seasonal plants 3

2ND FLOOR: PLANTS & ADVICE

– House plants – Island counters staffed to offer advice on balcony, small space and interior landscape greening, as well as urban gardening – Café

CafE

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1ST FLOOR: BOUTIQUE & FLORISTRY

– Floristry (bouquets, weddings, funerals, events) – Boutique plants (mix of decoration and life) – Sales promotions with lifestyle elements

1 Lifestyle

GROUND FLOOR: BOUTIQUE, MARKET HALL & LOGISTICS

– Decorations, accessories, plant pots, ceramics – Market hall with regional food products – Collection zone, incoming goods, and warehouse

THE CONCEPT IS ROUNDED OUT BY: – Digital services, including digital plant finder, click & collect, self-checkout – Delivery service for purchases above a certain value – Workshops and presentations, including plant care and urban gardening – Event spaces for seasonal themes

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floristry

Collection zone GF

Shopping Experience with an Emotional Connection The bright, transparent building creates a welcoming environment that encourages visitors to linger. Subtle music, carefully designed lighting, seasonal exhibitions, and floral highlights turn each visit into a memorable experience. With integrated dining options and child-friendly play areas, the City Garden Center becomes a

gathering place for all the family. Studies show: Experience concepts like this can increase the time customers spend on site by up to 30%, with a measurable positive impact on their purchasing behavior.

Europe in bringing innovative glass and greenhouse projects to life. With the City Garden Center, the company offers a forward-looking solution to contemporary urban challenges.

Sustainable, Flexible, and Future-proof

Depending on requirements, Rabensteiner can handle everything from the initial design concept and approval planning to turnkey implementation. The ultimate goal: a building that integrates seamlessly into the cityscape, captivates customers, and delivers strong economic value. For city of tomorrow requires innovative solutions and dependable partners to help shape its future.

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Sustainability is a core element of the City Garden Center concept. The architecture features energy-efficient building technologies, innovative rainwater management, and integrated photovoltaics.

Green façades and vertical gardens enhance the microclimate and support biodiversity. This greenery helps cool the surroundings, reduces the building’s thermal load, and increases rainwater retention capacity, all making a positive impact on the urban environment.

Rabensteiner: a Partner for Urban Visions For more than forty years now, Rabensteiner has supported customers across

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PROJECTS IN 2025

An eye-catching new building with strong visual impact.

GILLET DIY STORE, LANDAU (DE)

A New Garden Experience at Germany’s Largest OBI Store Rabensteiner brought a visionary project to life with the rebuild of the garden center for the long-established company Gillet in Landau, combining functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability with remarkable finesse.

all architectural services, supporting the project from conception and design to turnkey handover. The company also oversaw the technical equipment and outdoor facilities.

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Constructed without interrupting operations, the 4,000 m² greenhouse with eight-and-a-half wide-span bays impresses with a holistic layout, spacious cold and warm zones, and an energy-efficient design. The intelligent water management system collects all runoff in an underground cistern, providing sustainable irrigation for the ebb-andflow tables, nursery soil beds, and water stations.

R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES

The newly designed entrance and façade are striking architectural highlights. The arrangement of colored metal steles, greened façades, and strategically placed lighting accents, designed to resemble a barcode, creates a distinctive and highly recognizable appearance, highlighting the strong connection to nature. Rabensteiner handled

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INITIAL ASSESSMENT

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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

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DESIGN PLANNING

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IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 4,000 m2 ➜ 8.5 wide-bay greenhouses

with an energy-efficient envelope ➜ Rainwater management system with Rabensteiner thermal gutters ➜ Façade design

Petra Gillet (L) and Lara Sophie Gillet (R)

Interview with Lara Sophie Gillet Managing Director, GILLET Baumarkt GmbH What did you personally feel was important in the redesign of your garden center?

Making sure that the new garden center was both functional and emotionally appealing was especially important to us. Our goal was to design a place that captivates customers, invites them to stay, and reflects the principles of our family business.

We champion sustainability, high quality, and a clear commitment to nature.

How did you find working with Rabensteiner during the various phases of the project?

From the very first day, our collaboration was built on trust and a focus on practical solutions. At every stage, Rabensteiner proved to be a

partner who grasped our concepts, aligned with our thinking, and delivered excellent results, both in terms of technical precision and creativity.

This was a huge plus point, particularly during such a complex renovation while operations continued.

Which aspects of the new building inspire you most in your daily work?

First and foremost, it’s the sense of space: The abundance of light, the openness, and the clear structure are truly a pleasure. The new façade design works exceptionally well, lending the garden center an attractive and welcoming appeal. Operationally speaking, the improved processes and sustainable water management are also a real benefit.

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PROJECTS IN 2025 DEHNER GARTEN-CENTER, MAGDEBURG (DE)

A garden center that brings sustainability to life.

Where Urban Life Meets Nature In Magdeburg, a historic city on the banks of the River Elbe, a new Dehner garden center opened in April 2025 close to the Florapark shopping center, blending seamlessly into its urban and architectural surroundings.

Clever allocation of space meant the sales area could be used to its full potential with the parking capacity available.

Constructed using traditional wide-span construction methods with an optimally

insulated roof made of insulating panels and insulating glazing, the new 5,600 m² building boasts an impressive 80 m wide and 7 m high façade. The combination of the chosen building structure and materials allowed for an economically viable fire protection concept that does not require sprinkler installation.

Sustainability was another key consideration: cisterns for supplying watering trolleys help conserve fresh water, with

excess roof runoff directed into a drainage trough system. In addition, rainwater from the parking lot is ecologically drained away via an infiltration ditch.

The well-insulated building is heated by the existing district heating system.

Rabensteiner assumed overall responsibility as general contractor. The result is a functionally well-designed site that meets Dehner’s standards for quality and sustainability in every respect. ■

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INITIAL ASSESSMENT

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AS GENERAL CONTRACTOR

KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 5,600 m² ➜ Wide-span greenhouse

with 5 bays of 3 x 10 m and 2 x 5 m ➜ Sustainable rainwater management with cisterns and trough drainage ➜ District heating connection

“As part of our expansion to grow the Dehner store network, we involved our long-standing partner Rabensteiner in the Magdeburg project development from an early stage. Using initial sketches as a starting point, a first draft was agreed to guide the revision of the current building application, and an overall budget was prepared and finalized. Rabensteiner not only succeeded in establishing a robust and cost-effective planning process within just a short time, but also handled construction of the garden center as general contractor – on schedule, on budget, and to a high quality. We at Dehner are extremely satisfied with the results of this partnership.”

Frank Böing, CSO Dehner

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PROJECTS IN 2025 GARDEN CENTER GARDEN PARADISE, TERMENO (IT)

Architecture Meets a Love of Plants R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES

KEY FACTS

Situated on the renowned Wine Route in picturesque Termeno, the Garden Paradise center combines a passion for plants and architectural precision with state-of-the-art technology.

Spanning 2,000 m², the greenhouse complex was constructed on a specially designed foundation slab, integrating seamlessly into the South Tyrolean landscape. The centerpiece is a three-aisled Venlo greenhouse with a greened flat

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INITIAL ASSESSMENT

➜ Project size: 2,000 m²

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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

➜ Retail area with greenhouse

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and permanent building ➜ Weathering steel façade

DESIGN PLANNING

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IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

roof and three individually air-conditioned areas. A permanent building, harmoniously aligned with the design, completes the ensemble.

The striking weathering steel façade creates an elegant connection between the interior and exterior spaces and gives the complex its unique identity. With dark walls, carefully selected wood accents, and a mood-enhancing interior, the warm area makes a strong impres-

sion. One standout feature is the expansive interior window, through which customers can observe the florists in action,

bringing the art of floristry to life.

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GARDEN CENTER WIELANDER, MERANO (IT)

Tradition Re-imagined All renovation work was completed while operations continued as normal. Through visionary planning, the project successfully merges old and new, creating a seamless architectural and functional integration. ■

R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES

For over 70 years, the Wielander garden center has stood for quality, a love of plants, and family continuity. The recent modernization of the garden center has not only been an investment in the future, it has also created space for new ideas and more efficient processes.

by a pent roof and harmoniously blending into the existing structure. Outdoor production is enhanced by a new shaded hall, and photovoltaic modules integrated into the work hall roof ensure sustainable energy.

Alongside the photovoltaic system, a 250 m³ rainwater tank provides year-round irrigation.

Covering 3,500 m², the new building consists of three Venlo bays and a cabrio bay, joined to the side walls

A redesigned routing system and expanded parking areas enhance both customer flow and internal efficiency.

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 6,000 m² ➜ 12-bay retail greenhouse ➜ Rainwater management system

with Rabensteiner thermal gutters and a 250 m3 rainwater cistern ➜ Roof-integrated photovoltaics

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PROJECTS IN 2025 EVENT SPACE UDM80 – DER RAUM, ALBSTADT (DE)

Development of New Business Areas R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES ■

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

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D ESIGN PLANNING & BUILDING PERMIT PHASE

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 780 m² ➜ Flat-roofed building with a spacious terrace,

used as an event location ➜ Spacious skylight and timber support structure ➜ Façade greening

In April 2025, Albstadt welcomed a distinctive new venue with the “UDM80 – Der Raum” (The Space) building.

Located right next to the Blumen Krigar garden center, the space combines modern greenhouse architecture with a passion for plants and entrepreneurial vision.

the existing area, including the garden center built by Rabensteiner in 2013. As a venue for all kinds of celebrations, the building opens up new business opportunities while simultaneously strengthening the interior greening, gardening, landscaping, and event floristry.

The stylish flat-roofed building with a generous skylight, exposed wooden beams, vertical greened façade, and multi-functional patio blends perfectly into

A passion project that not only opens up new possibilities, but also shows how much soul can be poured into modern greenhouse architecture.

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SCHÖLLMANN, SCHUTTERWALD (DE)

Light-filled Space for Ideas The Schöllmann Immobilien GmbH project is living proof that greenhouse design is no longer confined to horticulture.

A light-filled atrium has been created between two existing U-shaped buildings,

providing space for interaction, creativity, and events. The greenhouse design was precisely integrated on three sides into the existing building structure and forms a covered courtyard covering an area of 425 m². The impressive span of

over 17 m amplifies the sense of openness highlights the structure’s lightness.

and

The photovoltaic modules integrated into the roof and façade glazing are especially striking. Not only do they generate electricity, they also cast an intriguing interplay of light and shadow into the room. They also offer protection for birds and create natural leaf shade. The façade design is also complemented by neutral sun protection glazing, which noticeably improves the indoor climate. ■

R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES

The atrium project combines light, space, and interaction with clear form and function.

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DESIGN PLANNING (collaboration)

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IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 425 m² ➜ Atrium with building-integrated

photovoltaic system

PROJECTS IN 2025 PRIVATE HOUSE, SCHWANDORF (DE)

House in the Greenhouse R ABENSTEINER’S SERVICES ■

DESIGN PLANNING

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KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 252 m² ➜ House-in-house solution

A greenhouse structure enveloping a residential module? What might initially seem unusual has become a reality in this project.

glass provides abundant daylight, excellent insulation, and a well-balanced indoor climate.

A single-bay, wide-span greenhouse covering over 250 m² was built, elegantly spanning a single-story modular building of approximately 60 m². To combine stability, lightness, and clean lines in both function and aesthetics, a three-joint frame structure of conical glued laminated timber beams was implemented. A transparent building envelope of safety insulating

The house-in-house solution, completed in August 2025, called for precise planning and execution, particularly in terms of the interfaces and connections to the existing modular buildings.

The project also showcases how adaptable contemporary greenhouse technology can be, serving both horticultural and residential purposes.

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GARDEN CENTER NIEDERMAIR, SAN LORENZO DI SEBATO (IT)

Between Mountains and Flowers

© TASPO projects / Haymarket Media 2025, Andreas von der Beeck

Despite a tight schedule, the project was executed with great precision. A covered walkway and open links between spaces ensure a smooth, functional, and inviting shopping experience. The floristry and entrance area forms a three-story solid structure, combining storage, display, and production functions.

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INITIAL ASSESSMENT

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KEY FACTS ➜ Project size: 1,000 m²

Nestled in the stunning Dolomite landscape, the Niedermair garden center is a long-established family business with deep regional roots.

Opened in March 2025, the new garden center spans around 1,000 m², offering a cohesive design that in-

cludes a floristry space, cold and warm sections, a covered outdoor area, and an eye-catching entrance. The combination of wooden exterior, clean architectural lines, and seamless integration with the adjacent residential building gives the structure a unique atmosphere and harmoniously ties it to its alpine surroundings.

➜ 5-bay retail greenhouse ➜ Three-story solid construction ➜ Direct connection to adjacent residential

building via lowered pent roofs made of insulated panels

EditionEdition 2022 | 7 2026

COMING SOON HVERAGERÐI LAGOON REYKJADALUR IS

REWE GREEN FARMING BERLIN

A bathing lagoon is being created at the hot springs of Reykjadalur. The glass houses built here are integrated into the spa area.

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Berlin’s largest rooftop greenhouse farm: soon, a Rewe supermarket will grow lettuce in a glass house on its premises, offering it fresh for sale in-store.

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IPM Essen WE’LL BE THERE FOR YOU AT IPM IN ESSEN IN 2026!

27 – 30 JANUARY 2026 HALL 3 | BOOTH 3D62 Drop by – we look forward to meeting you and chatting with you face to face!

BAAKENHAFEN, HAMBURG

DE

STEGER, WÜRZBURG

DE

A rooftop greenhouse is being built on a residential building in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. It is used for growing fruit and vegetables as well as for catering. ■

Expansion of the garden center: the new three-bay retail greenhouse will offer customers an even wider selection of plants in the future.

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VIRIDEA, CARATE BRIANZA

KUTTER, KEMPTEN

IT

Carate Brianza is blossoming: a 6,200 m² Viridea garden center will open in the northern Italian region of Lombardy in the spring.

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Do You Have any Questions?

Just give us a call or send us an email! info@rabensteiner.eu

DE

Construction of a new garden center: from spring 2026 onwards, gardening enthusiasts will find everything their hearts desire on an area of 8,000 m² in Kempten. ■

ITALY Rabensteiner S.r.l.

Via Julius Durst 88 39042 Bressanone Phone +39 0472 272900 GERMANY Rabensteiner GmbH Röntgenstraße 14/1 73730 Esslingen am Neckar Phone +49 (0) 711 28460 - 0

NEW TO US

Parking Lot Canopies with Photovoltaic Modules

NEW TO US

AUSTRIA Rabensteiner S.r.l.

Stephanie Mack Via Julius Durst 88 39042 Bressanone Phone +39 0472 272954

S US TA INABL E PR OT E C T I ON A N D E NE RGY G E NE R AT I ON I N ON E.

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Imprint: Publisher and media owner: Rabensteiner S.r.l., Klaus Wierer, Via Julius Durst 88, 39042 Bressanone, Italy, VAT no. IT 02239970219.

Concept & design: Anita Webhofer Werbeagentur. Text: Rabensteiner S.r.l. Photos: Rabensteiner S.r.l., Lars Gruber, Jürgen Eheim, Ingrid Heiss, Dehner Garten-Center, TASPO projects / Haymarket Media 2025, Andreas von der Beeck, Reykjavík Arkitektar ehf, Rewe Green Farming Berlin: acme, Baakenhafen Hamburg: Eble Architektur, Shutterstock. Print: Athesia Druck.