VIENNA WEST HIGH SCHOOL

1st PRIZE, NOT OPEN COMPETITION
2nd PRIZE, URBAN RENEWAL PRIZE 2019
BigSEE ARCHITECTURE AWARD 2020
HONORABLE MENTION, BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AWARD 2022
COMPLETED
IN 2018

A former military barrack was converted into a modern high school. Half of the main building was demolished and extended with a terraced building around a central courtyard. The courtyard offers various seating areas for relaxing and learning outside the classrooms.

The new transparent main entrance in the historical façade invites the view into the green courtyard. All the communication areas are situated around the courtyard with room-high windows. As a contrast all the classrooms are located along the outer façade with horizontal windows to create quiet atmosphere.

Modern room concept allows different teaching approaches. While the junior classes are taught in clusters, the senior classes are organized according to the department system. The students have their own lounges, so called “Home bases”, which serve as study areas as well as Chill-out areas and social meeting space.

In order to avoid overheating in the summer, a night ventilation system is used for cooling. Electricity is generated by a photovoltaic system on the roof.

The main building is connected to a former horse-riding hall, which were converted into two gymnastic halls.

 


Programme
high school for 34 classes, 3 gyms

Area
13.000m²

Location
Steinbruchstrasse 33, 1140 Vienna

Client
BIG Bundesimmobilliengesellschaft m.b.H

Assignement
General planner, Architecture

Consortium
SHIBUKAWA EDER ARCHITECTS ZT GmbH
F+P ARCHITEKTEN ZT GMB

Structural engeneering
RWT plus ZT GmbH

Technical building engeneering
Allplan GmbH

Fire security
IMS-Brandschutz Ingenieurbüro GmbH

S.E.A. Team
Caroline Heidlauf, Noriko Yamazaki, Lisa Geizler

Photos
Kurt Kuball