Vienna, Austria
Creating a façade knitting pattern, Vienna-based architects Franz und Sue along with EGKK Landschaftsarchitektur realize their first ever residential high-rise adding their structure to this new urban quarter of the city of Vienna.
The project is situated in the northern part of the site, opposite the old water tower and next to the new tram line.
Part of the former industrial wasteland is preserved as a large, urban wilderness – the “Freie Mitte” (Free Centre).
At this prominent point, the high rise forms one of the “keystones” in the development of the new quarter.
With 21 stories, the building does not quite scrape the skies just yet, but it nonetheless offers its residents an awe-inspiring view – all around the city, in the west to the “Freie Mitte.”
A total of 200 flats were being built here.
The unique form and façade design of the building is impressive 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 dynamically 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.
A spacious lobby forms the entrance on the ground floor. Residents have access to numerous communal facilities on the first two floors.
These include a separate home office area, a large bicycle room with a repair shop and washing area, a wellness area with a sauna and a communal room with a kitchen.
A large, green terrace on the roof of the base area, including an outdoor kitchen, offers the opportunity for neighborly outdoor activities.
Project: Nordbahnhof Residential High-Rise
Architects: Franz und Sue ZT GmbH
Landscape Architects: EGKK Landschaftsarchitektur
Design Team: Ursula Gau (PL), Björn Haunschmid-Wakolbinger, Dieter Fellner, Katarína Martoňáková, Johannes Tiefenthaler, Milica Simic, Kateřina Kunzová, Zsuzsanna Balla, Judith Mayr, Zsolt Toarniczky, and Pavlo Kukurudz
Client: KIBB Immobilien GmbH
Photographers: Hertha Hurnaus
