ANNAMÁRIA HAJDU
BIO
Annamária Hajdu graduated from USAMV Cluj-Napoca with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture in 2023. She completed her Master’s studies in 2025 at the same university, having spent a full academic year at BOKU University in Vienna as an Erasmus scholar.
Her professional talent has already received international acclaim; in 2024, her project "Art grows like a garden" was selected as a finalist for the International Garden Festival in Allariz, Spain. Following the completion of her Master's degree, her thesis project was chosen to be featured in the Jubilee Exhibition of the Romanian Association of Landscape Architects (ASOP).
Dedicated to nature conservation, Annamária focuses on creating green urban environments using ecological materials. In her designs, aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand, with the ultimate goal of raising public awareness of the natural world’s beauty and encouraging people to spend more time outdoors.
EDUCATION
2023-2025. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca Landscape Architecture MSc 2019-2023. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca Landscape Architecture BSc
SCHOLARSHIPS
09.2023-08.2024. BOKU Univerity, Vienna Erasmus+ Mobility Program: Landscape Architecture MsC 02.2022-07.2022. BOKU Univerity, Vienna Erasmus+ Mobility Program: Landscape Architecture BsC
EXHIBITIONS
Level up, Art & Design Incubation, MOME x Dugattyús, Budapest, 2026 20th anniversary exhibition of the Romanian Landscape Architects Assotiation (ASOP), Timișoara, 2025 Perspective - In the Mirror of Art: Exhibition by the members of the Off Space Association, Odorheiu Secuiesc, 2025 In limbo: Navigating the states in-between, TÉR, Odorheiu Secuiesc, 2024 LANDSCHAFT lernen: Exhibition on Design Theory, Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, Vienna, 2024 Silent Orbit: Art installations in Sternwartepark, Vienna, 2024
MEMBERSHIPS
2023- . Off Space (Odorhei)
SELECTION OF WORKS
Transforming Educational Grounds into an Integrated Learning Environment.
Case study Marin Preda Theoretical High School, Odorheiu Secuiesc
School courtyards are not merely spaces for recreation; they also hold significant potential as outdoor classrooms - environments that support social interaction, foster environmental awareness, and contribute to students' holistic development. This project presents the transformation of the neglected courtyard of the Marin Preda Theoretical High School in Odorheiu Secuiesc, with the aim of creating a sustainable, safe, and educational outdoor environment.
The site analysis identified several key issues, including a deteriorated sports field, damaged or missing pedestrian pathways, unmanaged tree stock, surface construction defects, and low levels of biodiversity at the shrub layer.
The design process was preceded by a community-based survey involving both students and teachers, ensuring that the proposed interventions respond directly to the needs and everyday use patterns of the school community. Throughout the design, ecological, aesthetic, and functional considerations were given equal importance. In addition to preserving valuable existing vegetation, new plant species supporting biodiversity enhancement were introduced. A small educational orchard was established using newly planted fruit trees, providing both ecological and learning value.
Stormwater from roof surfaces is managed through the creation of a rain garden, which reduces pressure on the drainage system while simultaneously offering habitat for various plant and animal species. The sports field was renewed, the proportion of impermeable surfaces was reduced, and new community zones were created using appropriate materials and urban furniture. Natural play elements, such as barefoot paths and climbing structures, support the development of students' sensory perception and motor skills.
Beyond the physical transformation, the project's long-term objective is to strengthen a positive relationship with nature and to encourage the sustainable and conscious use of outdoor spaces within the school community.
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 2025
Loading...
Art grows like a garden | El arte crece como un jardín
Like the plants in our gardens art has grown and developed over the ages. All of the artistic trends and art movements have one thing in common: the creative progress. „Art grows like a garden“ is a garden, which demonstrates this development.
In the garden plants are the medium and the earth is the canvas. Walking the curved path through the parcel you experience the natural growing process of the plants. As the axonometric projection shows, if you want to see the whole garden artwork, it is not enough to take a glimpse at the plot, but you have to walk the whole path to the end to see all the aspects of the design.
It’s the same with art - the more time you take, the more facets you notice. In the perspectives you can see the first few meters the soil is blank like a new canvas. The further you go, the more complex the planting becomes.
The growth is also reflected by different sculptures in the garden, representing different parts of a plant and plant growth and from a seedling to a fully matured plant, shown through a big leaf size. These elements illustrate the dynamic further for a better experience of the progression. The various elements in different sizes bring visitors closer to the different components of plants in an interesting, tangible way. They can be touched or used as a seat.
The section shows as you walk along the path, you will feel smaller as the garden becomes more complex and varied. At the end of the path among the large leaves you feel protected and have the chance to rest and reflect on the relationship between the garden and art.
Annamária Hajdu, Isabelle Spaemann, Renée Philine Bekooij
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 2023
The historic garden as inspiration and experience for the modern world. Case study Székely Támadt Fortress, Odorheiu Secuiesc
In the modern world, where everything is changing so fast, it is important to protect our world heritage because it is part of the historical and cultural evolution. These values include historical gardens and fortresses, which have deteriorated significantly over time. By understanding the historical context and through archaeological excavations, we get a picture of what these places might have looked like in the past, what was important to the people of that time, how such fortresses were built and what the function of a fortress courtyard was at that time. When restoring these gardens, the aspects mentioned above need to be taken into account, and it is important not only to create a green space for relaxation, but also to give the place a new function that will attract people and connect them with the past. Within the Székely Támadt fortress, a cultural center will be created as a new function so that people can connect with the historical garden while learning about their own cultural values. In addition to the renovation of the fortress walls, the garden will be landscaped in accordance with this new function, and in the choice of vegetation, the appearance of the old garden was taken into account. By protecting these exceptional places, the community recognizes and takes responsibility for preserving this common heritage for future generations.
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 2023
Silent Orbit
How wonderful is the wilderness in the city, isn't it? Is there a connection between the Universenature-human? Is there a reward resulting from this connection?
The answer is yes.
Just like the Universe, nature and humans are constantly growing, evolving, moving. This development, expansion is infinite, which may seem frightening to us humans, but this infinity slows down time. I think slowing down can be an important element in our lives, in this rushing world, hoping to experience silence.
My installation aims to slow people down, using elements that symbolise the Universe. Walking around in circles, just like a planet on its orbit, slowly, focusing on our breath and the nature, after a few circles it can seem endless and monotonous and we can sense the time slowing down.
Our reward is silence and relaxation.
The following instructions (written in the stars on the wall of the building) will help you achieve this reward.
Step 1: mute your phone, disconnect from the world outside the park.
Step 2: continue your journey until you reach the 8 planets on the wall.
Step 3: free a planet (Neptune or Mercury) from its stationary position by unwinding the rope at
the corresponding edge.
Step 4: Rewind the rope to keep the other planets in their place.
Step 5: With the freed planet, walk around the building slowly, focusing on your breath.
Step 6: When you get back to the planets, return it to its stationary position, similar to the
release.
Step 7: repeat the steps with the remaining 7 planets.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 2024
