Knit and Purl

Nordbahnhof Residential High-Rise, Vienna

We have realised our first high-rise residential building in the new, urban North Railway District. 21 floors with stunning views over the city and the green urban wilderness. The façade knitting pattern of airy and light balcony fronts gives the building a distinctive character.

Details

Photography

Hertha Hurnaus

Client

KIBB Immobilien GmbH

State

Completed

Net Usable Floor Area

17.600 m²

Awards

best architects 25, klimaaktiv Gold

On the site of the former North Railway Station in Vienna’s second district, we have realised our first residential high-rise. By 2025, a new urban quarter with six high-rises as defining cornerstones will be completed here. Part of the former industrial wasteland is preserved here as a large, urban wilderness – the “Freie Mitte” (Free Centre). In exchange, the residential towers around its perimeter reach metropolitan heights.

»In a distinct urban location, right next to the urban wilderness, our building is the keystone in the development of the new city quarter.«

Björn Haunschmid-Wakolbinger, Franz&Sue partner

Aiming High

Our project is situated in the northern part of the site, opposite the old water tower and next to the new tram line. At this prominent point, the high-rise forms one of the “keystones” in the development of the new quarter. With 21 storeys, the building does not quite scrape the skies just yet, but it nonetheless offers its residents an awe-inspiring view – all around to the city, in the west to the “Freie Mitte”. A total of 200 flats were being built here.

Let’s Twist Again

The unique form and façade design of the high-rise don’t just look stunning: with the slight twist of the tower and the kink in two main façades, the building opens up towards the wild green spaces. The building stands dynamicly and elegantly, with an airy vantage point on the edge of the urban wilderness. For the façade, we drew inspiration from Grandma’s knitted shawls – the balcony fronts alternate in different variations for sun protection and privacy, forming a pattern that resembles knit and purl stitches.

»The slight twist and kink give the tower a sense of lightness. The knitted façade pattern of the balcony fronts creates a unique appearance.«

Ursula Gau, Franz&Sue team leader

Floor Plan Ground Floor

Floor Plan Upper Floor 1

Floor Plan Standard Floor

Site Map

Index/Count
Type Of Commission

nicht offener Realisierungswettbewerb

Client

KIBB Immobilien GmbH

Construction

2021-2024

Gross Floor Area

23.603 m²

Location

Wien

State

Completed

Design

2019-2021

Net Usable Floor Area

17.600 m²

Team

Ursula Gau (PL), Björn Haunschmid-Wakolbinger, Dieter Fellner, Katarína Martoňáková, Johannes Tiefenthaler, Milica Simic, Kateřina Kunzová, Zsuzsanna Balla, Judith Mayr, Zsolt Toarniczky, Pavlo Kukurudz

Awards

best architects 25, klimaaktiv Gold

Structural Engineer

Mischek

Building Physics

Mischek

Thermal Building Simulation

Mischek

Building Services

Mischek

Landscape Planning

EGKK

Fire Safety Planning

DI Erich Röhrer

Photography

Hertha Hurnaus