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
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