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The design concept aims to adhere to the principles of the original architectural concept, while giving the existing building composition a visually orderly structure by sensitively modulating its façade surfaces. The uniform height of the five office towers now creates a rhythmic spatial sequence, giving the visible street frontage a striking contour in terms of length, depth, and height. The design and aesthetic qualities of the building, which has been extended by two lightweight floors, are evident in the sensitively realised depth effect of the façades.
Redensification is one of the architectural topics that will continue to preoccupy us in the future.This applies not only to residential and commercial buildings in rural areas, but also to Graz University of Technology's inner-city grounds. It houses the Mechanical Engineering Institutes. The aim of this project is to counteract the 'fragmentation' caused by small-scale additions and extensions. The aims to ensure that future space requirements can be met in the long term. Raising the office towers to the height of the four upper floors will create the necessary expansion space for the institute's operations. With their irregular cube shapes and unequal heights, the buildings form the internal area of the institute. They divide the outdoor space into various open areas and usage zones.
The precisely executed aluminium façade reflects the content and function of the buildings housing the mechanical engineering institutes. A notable feature of the façade is the trapezoidal sun protection structure positioned above the window band and intersecting with the opposing panel structure below the window sill. This interlocking creates a striking design feature that emphasises the façade's significance and sophistication.
The topic of sustainability is evident in several aspects of this project. The existing building was not demolished and replaced The necessary usable space was created within the five towers. This avoided the need for further sealing. A lightweight wooden structure was used to add extra storeys At the same time, the thermal situation was significantly improved. - The curtain wall façade prevented cold bridging between the existing building and the extension. - The coated sheet metal façade is sustainable and can be dismantled and reused. It also guarantees low maintenance costs. -The clear structure of the existing building and the five towers has resulted in the urban redevelopment of the heterogeneous environment. The project won the Domigius Architecture Prize and the Best Architect 25 award.
This renovation and extension building from the 1970s faces the task of responsibly using the existing building substance for the structural and functional requirements of today and tomorrow. The building, which has been extended by two light-weight storeys, only reveals its aesthetic design qualities at second glance, which is due to the sensitively realised depth effect of the façades. The almost joint-free rectangles of the snow-white parapet façades are covered - even more discreetly - by the shadows of wedge-shaped translucent shading elements, which generate plays of light and shadow from the horizontal to the vertical. The material contrast between the exposed concrete and the new façade - separated by a clear vertical building joint - intensifies the compositional effect. Overall, the jury praises a work that is captivating in its simplicity and tranquillity.
1951 Born in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Austria
Since 1985 Office in Graz and Bregenz, Austria
2004 Founding of Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner Architektur ZT GmbH
Awards:
2006 Best architects 07 Award for "Biocatalysis at Graz Technical University"
2008 Special Compliment Austrian Architecture Award and International Architecture Award for "Kiefer technic showroom"
2009 ZT.Award Most innovative Design for "Kiefer technic showroom"
2010 Geramb-Rose Architectural Award for "Asfinag-Rastplatz Gaishorn"
Headquarters"
2012 Invitation 13th Architecture-Biennale in Venice "Traces of Centuries & Future Steps"
2014 Invitation 14th Architecture-Biennale in Venice "Time Space Existence"
2015 Shortlist The Plan Award for "Leoben Regional Hospital"
Green Good Design Award for "Energie Steiermark Headquarters"
2017 Shortlist The Plan Award for "Dental Medicine at Graz University Hospital"
2021 DOMIGIUS First Price Metal in Architecture for the “laboratory building Technical
University"
