Location
Vienna, Austria
Typology
Education
Culture
Year
2025
Status
competition
Client
BIG Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H.
Size
13,000 m² GFA
Read more
The proposed secondary school is conceived as an integral urban component of Seestadt Aspern, mediating between the dense urban fabric and the adjoining landscape. The compact U-shaped building defines a protected, sunlit school garden while reinforcing the urban edge along Sonnenallee. This clear spatial composition establishes a strong civic identity, creating an open and welcoming educational building that is both firmly rooted within the neighbourhood and intrinsically connected to its landscape setting.
Location
Vienna, Austria
Typology
Education
Culture
Year
2025
Status
competition
Client
BIG Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H.
Size
13,000 m² GFA
Read more
A clear urban figure creates identity while opening towards the landscape. A recessed ground floor forms a generous entrance plaza that strengthens the public realm and provides a sheltered arrival sequence. The independent positioning of the sports halls along Seestadtstraße creates a distinct urban edge while allowing the school to unfold towards a generous green campus. The roof of the sports facilities accommodates outdoor sports areas, maximising the school garden and preserving valuable open space. The building is organised around a legible sequence of interconnected spaces. A light-filled atrium with an open learning stair forms the social heart of the school, while an internal boulevard connects all learning areas and establishes visual relationships across the building. Public functions, including the library, assembly hall, music department and dining facilities, activate the ground floor and strengthen the connection between school life and the surrounding community.
A clear urban figure creates identity while opening towards the landscape. A recessed ground floor forms a generous entrance plaza that strengthens the public realm and provides a sheltered arrival sequence. The independent positioning of the sports halls along Seestadtstraße creates a distinct urban edge while allowing the school to unfold towards a generous green campus. The roof of the sports facilities accommodates outdoor sports areas, maximising the school garden and preserving valuable open space. The building is organised around a legible sequence of interconnected spaces. A light-filled atrium with an open learning stair forms the social heart of the school, while an internal boulevard connects all learning areas and establishes visual relationships across the building. Public functions, including the library, assembly hall, music department and dining facilities, activate the ground floor and strengthen the connection between school life and the surrounding community.
The building is organised around a legible sequence of interconnected spaces. A light-filled atrium with an open learning stair forms the social heart of the school, while an internal boulevard connects all learning areas and establishes visual relationships across the building. Public functions, including the library, assembly hall, music department and dining facilities, activate the ground floor and strengthen the connection between school life and the surrounding community.
The building is organised around a legible sequence of interconnected spaces. A light-filled atrium with an open learning stair forms the social heart of the school, while an internal boulevard connects all learning areas and establishes visual relationships across the building. Public functions, including the library, assembly hall, music department and dining facilities, activate the ground floor and strengthen the connection between school life and the surrounding community.
Architecture encourages encounter, orientation and community
The educational concept is expressed through flexible learning landscapes organised into open clusters. Classrooms, breakout spaces and shared learning commons are arranged around collaborative hubs that support diverse teaching methods and informal exchange. Carefully framed views, generous daylight and direct access to terraces extend learning beyond the classroom and foster a stimulating, healthy environment. Warm natural materials and a clear spatial hierarchy create an atmosphere that balances openness with a sense of belonging.
Learning extends beyond the classroom into a connected spatial landscape.
Landscape forms an equal component of the architectural concept. Existing mature trees are preserved wherever possible and complemented by climate-resilient planting inspired by the historic floodplain landscape. Woodland areas, gardens, outdoor classrooms and informal meeting spaces create a diverse sequence of places for learning, recreation and social interaction. Permeable surfaces, native vegetation and integrated rainwater management enhance biodiversity, improve the microclimate and reinforce the site's ecological resilience.
Architecture encourages encounter, orientation and community
The educational concept is expressed through flexible learning landscapes organised into open clusters. Classrooms, breakout spaces and shared learning commons are arranged around collaborative hubs that support diverse teaching methods and informal exchange. Carefully framed views, generous daylight and direct access to terraces extend learning beyond the classroom and foster a stimulating, healthy environment. Warm natural materials and a clear spatial hierarchy create an atmosphere that balances openness with a sense of belonging.
Learning extends beyond the classroom into a connected spatial landscape.
Landscape forms an equal component of the architectural concept. Existing mature trees are preserved wherever possible and complemented by climate-resilient planting inspired by the historic floodplain landscape. Woodland areas, gardens, outdoor classrooms and informal meeting spaces create a diverse sequence of places for learning, recreation and social interaction. Permeable surfaces, native vegetation and integrated rainwater management enhance biodiversity, improve the microclimate and reinforce the site's ecological resilience.
A prefabricated timber structure combined with mineral construction only where structurally required substantially reduces embodied carbon while enabling efficient construction and future adaptability. A regular structural grid, modular components and demountable material assemblies support circular construction principles, ensuring that the building remains flexible, resource-efficient and capable of evolving with future educational needs.
A prefabricated timber structure combined with mineral construction only where structurally required substantially reduces embodied carbon while enabling efficient construction and future adaptability. A regular structural grid, modular components and demountable material assemblies support circular construction principles, ensuring that the building remains flexible, resource-efficient and capable of evolving with future educational needs.
Enhanced by AI
Landscape becomes infrastructure for learning and climate resilience. Sustainability informs every aspect of the proposal, from urban form and construction to long-term operation. The compact building envelope, hybrid natural and mechanical ventilation, external solar shading and optimised daylight significantly reduce operational energy demand while ensuring excellent indoor comfort without active cooling. Renewable energy generation through photovoltaic systems, extensive green roofs and the future integration of shallow geothermal energy further minimise the building's environmental footprint. Building, landscape and construction are conceived as one integrated, circular system.
Enhanced by AI
Landscape becomes infrastructure for learning and climate resilience. Sustainability informs every aspect of the proposal, from urban form and construction to long-term operation. The compact building envelope, hybrid natural and mechanical ventilation, external solar shading and optimised daylight significantly reduce operational energy demand while ensuring excellent indoor comfort without active cooling. Renewable energy generation through photovoltaic systems, extensive green roofs and the future integration of shallow geothermal energy further minimise the building's environmental footprint. Building, landscape and construction are conceived as one integrated, circular system.
