S.E.A.
SHIBUKAWA EDER ARCHITECTS

The school is located in the centre of Vienna.

The heritage building, dating from 1899, has been given a new lease of life through subtle but targeted interventions and adapted to modern educational concepts.

The previously unused inner courtyard is enclosed by a glass roof, creating a multi-storey communicative open space, a light-flooded atrium. A seating area replaces the dark basement and is directly connected to the existing staircase.

New balconies protrude into this central open space, serving as a playful extension of the corridor and transforming into new break areas and learning zones. The school is accessed from this central point.

The two-storey extension in the courtyard, together with the heritage banquet hall wing, forms a forecourt and leads to the clearly defined new main entrance.

The position and shape of the extension were determined regarding the optimal lighting conditions in the dense urban context. A rooftop garden provides pupils with an additional outdoor learning and recreation space.

The new structure establishes a communication-promoting relationship with the forecourt via terraces. The new gymnasium is located entirely underground so that its large volume does not protrude outward.

At the courtyard level of the new building, the cafeteria, library and after-school care centre are directly connected to the forecourt. With various seating areas, the forecourt offers a wide range of options for independent learning and leisure activities.

In connecting the old to the new, emphasis is placed on rhythmic integration into the historic façade. The materials and colours of the façades and interiors have been carefully selected to harmonise with the historic building.

Programme: Renovation and extension of a high school, cafeteria, gym

Area
11.000m²

Location: Zirkusgasse, 1020 Vienna

Client
BIG Bundesimmobilliengesellschaft m.b.H

Assignement
General planner, Architecture

Partner
SHIBUKAWA EDER ARCHITECTS ZT GmbH
F+P ARCHITEKTEN ZT GMBH

Structural engineering
RWT plus ZT GmbH

Technical Engineering
Allplan GmbH

S.E.A. Team
Caroline Heidlauf, Matthias Kraßnitzer,
Elena Armbruster, Chisato Sasada

Photos
©tschinkersten fotografie
©Hertha Hurnaus