My main interest is art and design, with an emphasis on public space and participatory processes. The interface between visitors and nature in nature reserves and national parks, as well as issues related to accessibility, integration and recreational value of periurban nature, has been of particular interest since my graduation. In recent years, temporary installations in urban development processes have become the main focus of my practice. Areas of expertise include cultural environments and plant composition for perennial and annual plantings.
Hildegun Nilsson Varhelyi is a landscape architect LAR / MSA and graphic designer – Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design and Illustration at University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm (graduation 1985), Master of Science (MSc) in Landscape Architecture at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (graduation year 2002), graduate of the Royal University College of Fine Arts, Department of Architecture, Stockholm (graduation year 2006).
From 1987 to 1998, Hildegun were a founding partner of the design studio Rififi, where she worked in marketing and brand strategy. Projects include information campaigns for the National Public Health Institute and the design of several books.
After training as a landscape architect Hildegun worked with traditional landscape project assignments where her skills in graphic communication have been useful, such as wayfinding, exhibition design, visualizations and graphics for cinema and theatre.
As a landscape architect Hildegun has worked with private and public spaces, including Sergels torg, Humlegården, Tessin Palace, Tullgarn Palace and Årstafältet. Hildegun is involved in developing the City of Stockholm's annual floral program, the City of Stockholm's strategies for plant beds and tree plantings, and the design and strategy for placemaking within the project Levande Stockholm. Since 2020, she has been the curator of art and design for the placemaking project På Sergels torg.
Hildegun divides her time between Sweden and Los Angeles, where she collaborates with SALT Landscape Architects. In Los Angeles, she has curated several exhibitions in collaboration with SALT and participated in several design projects, such as developing the boardwalk in the City of Long Beach.
Since 2021, Hildegun has been a member of the Swedish Academy of Landscape Architecture.