Riepl Kaufmann Bammer Architektur

Description

In 2014, the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft put the expansion of the University of Applied Arts out to tender. The aim was to convert the former «Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7» municipal offices in line with new user requirements. The central location in close proximity to the main site of the university on Vienna’s ring road, as well as the fabric of the existing building were promising, but the hermetic structure of the old office building ran counter to the requirements of a modern university. The demolition of the old connecting wings, which took up a lot of room and offered little space, created a generous inner area that corresponded to the building’s new use. This made it possible to develop a versatile space in the centre. The multi-storey atrium functions as a living, communicative hub, and as a versatile exhibition and event space. (Audience) galleries open up and shorten the access routes. Stacked bridges along these galleries create open, flexible learning spaces with exits onto the open terrace above the multifunctional event hall on the ground floor. The university library is situated in a quiet, central location on the top floor.