MQ goes Green

Conservation of resources

• Water cycles involve drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and the use of groundwater.
• The primary goal of a new mobility and transportation plan is to reduce traffic in the MQ. This includes optimizing delivery traffic, improving bike lane routing, and providing bike racks.
• A comprehensive waste management plan provides for waste prevention, separate collection, and recycling measures. In August 2025, the MQ installed returnable bottle containers and returnable bottle racks that are accessible to the public around the clock. This is intended, on the one hand, to give visitors the opportunity to properly dispose of the returnable bottles they have brought with them and, on the other hand, to help bottle collectors so they no longer have to search through trash cans for returnable bottles.

Temporary landscaping

The first shipment of trees and plants arrived in July 2023. Since then, all the plants have been in an “acclimatization phase,” during which they are getting used to the climate and environment and, above all, are able to continue developing and strengthening their root systems. The trees, shrubs, and plants were previously housed in so-called “MQ TreePods”—modular plant containers placed on Euro pallets. MQ goes Green was also part of the German contribution “STRESSTEST” to the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale as an example of practical solutions for climate adaptation.

Permanent Landscaping of the MQ Main Courtyard

In October 2025, the temporary MQ Treepods were transplanted into the MQ main courtyard as four permanent shrub and tree islands featuring climate-resilient trees, shrubs, and grasses. The first phase of the permanent landscaping of the MQ site covers the axis from the main entrance to the portico of Hall E+G.

To ensure optimal care for the plants, horticultural engineers, landscape architects, and gardeners are employing an adapted sponge city principle. This expands the root zone while simultaneously providing the plants with sufficient water, air, and nutrients. The paving slabs in the areas of the new perennial islands will be removed and replaced with clinker pavers. This creates a clear border around the islands that blends harmoniously into the overall appearance of the MQ.

Microclimate simulation for the MQ

In addition, a microclimate simulation for the MQ has shown that the new greenery will have a cooling effect: on a hot summer day at 2 p.m., the perceived temperature (PET) in the shade of the mature trees could drop by up to 15.5 °C by 2035. The surfaces also benefit from the greenery, because while the stone paving in the MQ’s main courtyard currently reaches up to 48 °C and the asphalt in the side courtyards even reaches 55 °C, the combination of planting and unsealing provides cooling of up to 22.7 °C in the immediate vicinity of the mature trees.

As envisioned in Anna Detzlhofer’s “MQ in morphosis” concept, each courtyard will retain its own unique character. A color gradient stretching from east to west runs across the entire site. The inner courtyard is dominated by shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white. In addition to the existing plants, more shrubs and colorful species will be planted.

A Tree at the MQ

Make a significant contribution to greening the MQ site! By sponsoring a tree—one of the 16 mulberry trees now growing in planters—you’ll help us care for our trees while making a substantial contribution to climate protection. Typically, four sponsorships are assigned per tree, and there’s also the option to take on an exclusive sponsorship for a single tree.

Why mulberry trees?

The choice fell on fruitless mulberry trees, as they are particularly hardy and can remain in the MuseumsQuartier year-round, regardless of the weather. In addition, they form evenly growing canopies that provide maximum shade.