The chemistry’s right

The young and emerging Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) is a PhD granting institution dedicated to cutting-edge basic research in the sciences. It is one of the leading research facilities for scientific leaders from all around the world.

On the institute campus outside of Klosterneuburg by Vienna, new building complexes will be erected step by step up to the year 2026 for a total of 90 international research groups. One of them is our building LAB5 – or the “Sunstone Building” – with research laboratories for chemistry along with a library and grad school.

Keep building

The terrain of the neighbouring, already existing café, our terraced library, and the new chemistry building grow together into a coherent whole. As opposed to small-scale components, we opted for a bracketing structure that synthesizes the surrounding architectures. The stepped building follows the elevation of the landscape. The library and grad school with its broad protruding terrace form an attractive public space. Framed on three sides, this place of encounters takes on an urban character and becomes an identity-building heart for the complete ensemble. The parking area on the upper level has a canopy roof in continuation of the terraces, which results in new pathways and alluring vistas to the green surroundings.

Horizontal und vertical

The entire building complex can be accessed vertically and horizontally via the connecting “terrace building”. The height difference of 13 metres between the upper and lower square is overcome with stairways where students, teachers, and staff can sit, study, and have a chat. The elevator in the foyer ensures barrier-free circulation.

An inclusive landscape for learning and reading

The library and graduate school span three storeys with galleries, diverse vistas, and expansive bands of windows, which coalesce into a friendly and ample continuum for learning and reading. The bright central foyer at the seam of the library and laboratory building serves as the crossroads between theory and praxis. The individual floors open onto terraces that form an attractive connection to the outside area with stunning views to the surrounding landscape of the Vienna Woods.

Lab spaces and technology

Our response to the complex architectural programme with its numerous research laboratories and highly complicated technical requirements and detailing was a simple as possible spatial solution. The design of the chemistry lab building is extremely straightforward and functional. The client desired spaces that could be used flexibly. Hence, all laboratories are laid out one above another on floors one to three, which enables clear routing of cable conduits for these high-tech areas. Oriented to the north, the labs are protected from direct sunlight and will enter into a dialogue with the neighbouring buildings to follow in future construction phases.