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Autopalast
Autopalast
Salzburg, Austria
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Other Projects by smartvoll
Autopalast
Salzburg, Austria
Firm
Type
STATUS
Under Construction
YEAR
2025
Quartier Autopalast
From Parking Space to Living Space
When Mr. Gruber, a carriage entrepreneur, decided in 1924 to build an above-ground garage with 400 spaces in a prime central location in Salzburg, it was nothing short of visionary. At the time, there were only about 25 registered cars in the entire city. History proved him right—cars were just about to enter their golden age. Befitting its scale and prestige, the garage was named the “Salzburg Autopalast” (Car Palace).
Since then, cars have been parked here in an industrial building with several above-ground levels on the edge of Salzburg’s historic center, with views toward the Kapuzinerberg. Over time, even the former horse stables in the courtyard were converted into additional parking. Today, the site offers around 220 spaces.
Now, almost 100 years after the mobility revolution of the 20th century, we face new challenges. Car sharing and new mobility concepts are reshaping how people get around, while at the same time, society is becoming more aware of the damaging impact of fossil fuels on the climate. Many young people in urban areas no longer own cars at all. In light of these changes—and inspired by the foresight of the original founder—the Autopalast site is being reimagined for the future.
The vision: transform the garage, once a place where cars enjoyed panoramic views most people would envy for their apartments, into a vibrant place for people. Where once cars were simply stored, a lively micro-neighborhood is emerging—with housing for up to 130 people and workspace for about 150 jobs. The project demonstrates in concrete terms what it means to turn car parking into living space.
Diversity Over Uniformity
The site sits on the boundary of Salzburg’s historic district, where strict design rules apply. While the protected old town requires careful architectural sensitivity, the areas just beyond have over decades become fragmented with small workshops, housing, and leftover spaces.
The project embraces this urban patchwork in multiple ways. First, the cars must make way: the existing parking spaces are relocated underground into a new garage. The street-facing historic building is preserved and densified with a rooftop extension. A neighboring gap site is closed to restore the clarity of the block’s edge. In the courtyard, outdated barracks are removed and replaced by two new buildings.
Instead of a closed-off block, the new volumes are arranged to create lively passageways and alleys. In stark contrast to its current function, the future Autopalast will be car-free yet still permeable to the public. The new buildings act as connectors, weaving the site into its surroundings. With terraced, pixel-like structures and planted roofs that extend the adjacent green space, the courtyard becomes part of a larger urban park. What was once entirely paved over will now provide greenery and ecological value for residents and neighbors alike.
A Generous Mix
Diversity also extends to use. A purely residential complex would be quiet during the day, active only in mornings and evenings. By mixing housing with commercial uses—from creative agencies to yoga studios—the quarter remains alive throughout the day.
The new alleys and passages ensure that this activity turns into real encounters. Businesses spill out into the public space; residents open their balconies and terraces onto the shared courtyards. The interplay of old and new architecture creates a tangible urban energy, making the difference between a generic housing estate and the unique identity of Quartier Autopalast.
Pioneering Spirit, Reloaded
We live in a time of rethinking: climate change shows us that holding on to the status quo is no longer viable. Architects carry a particular responsibility—conserving resources and planning with foresight. The most sustainable building is always the one that already exists. Reuse means keeping the CO₂ stored in its concrete locked away, instead of demolishing, transporting debris, and rebuilding—activities that would release even more emissions.
For the Autopalast, the building’s generous floor heights—originally designed for cars—become a major advantage. These spacious interiors make conversion easier and more flexible. This principle is also carried into the new buildings, which are designed with higher-than-usual ceilings to ensure adaptability for future generations.
Sustainability here is not only about conserving resources but also about creating resilient outdoor spaces. Salzburg’s current building regulations still require more than one parking space per apartment, which means underground garages and sealed surfaces are almost unavoidable. Yet we know that the future will bring hotter summers and heavier rainfall. Excessive sealing worsens both problems: it creates urban heat islands and prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground.
That’s why green roofs at Autopalast are more than aesthetic—they are ecological infrastructure. Large planting troughs retain rainwater, while vegetation cools and shades the surroundings, improving the microclimate and supporting biodiversity.
Sustainable planning means more than certification. It calls for future-oriented, interconnected thinking, pragmatic solutions, and a good measure of pioneering spirit.
From Parking Space to Living Space
When Mr. Gruber, a carriage entrepreneur, decided in 1924 to build an above-ground garage with 400 spaces in a prime central location in Salzburg, it was nothing short of visionary. At the time, there were only about 25 registered cars in the entire city. History proved him right—cars were just about to enter their golden age. Befitting its scale and prestige, the garage was named the “Salzburg Autopalast” (Car Palace).
Since then, cars have been parked here in an industrial building with several above-ground levels on the edge of Salzburg’s historic center, with views toward the Kapuzinerberg. Over time, even the former horse stables in the courtyard were converted into additional parking. Today, the site offers around 220 spaces.
Now, almost 100 years after the mobility revolution of the 20th century, we face new challenges. Car sharing and new mobility concepts are reshaping how people get around, while at the same time, society is becoming more aware of the damaging impact of fossil fuels on the climate. Many young people in urban areas no longer own cars at all. In light of these changes—and inspired by the foresight of the original founder—the Autopalast site is being reimagined for the future.
The vision: transform the garage, once a place where cars enjoyed panoramic views most people would envy for their apartments, into a vibrant place for people. Where once cars were simply stored, a lively micro-neighborhood is emerging—with housing for up to 130 people and workspace for about 150 jobs. The project demonstrates in concrete terms what it means to turn car parking into living space.
Diversity Over Uniformity
The site sits on the boundary of Salzburg’s historic district, where strict design rules apply. While the protected old town requires careful architectural sensitivity, the areas just beyond have over decades become fragmented with small workshops, housing, and leftover spaces.
The project embraces this urban patchwork in multiple ways. First, the cars must make way: the existing parking spaces are relocated underground into a new garage. The street-facing historic building is preserved and densified with a rooftop extension. A neighboring gap site is closed to restore the clarity of the block’s edge. In the courtyard, outdated barracks are removed and replaced by two new buildings.
Instead of a closed-off block, the new volumes are arranged to create lively passageways and alleys. In stark contrast to its current function, the future Autopalast will be car-free yet still permeable to the public. The new buildings act as connectors, weaving the site into its surroundings. With terraced, pixel-like structures and planted roofs that extend the adjacent green space, the courtyard becomes part of a larger urban park. What was once entirely paved over will now provide greenery and ecological value for residents and neighbors alike.
A Generous Mix
Diversity also extends to use. A purely residential complex would be quiet during the day, active only in mornings and evenings. By mixing housing with commercial uses—from creative agencies to yoga studios—the quarter remains alive throughout the day.
The new alleys and passages ensure that this activity turns into real encounters. Businesses spill out into the public space; residents open their balconies and terraces onto the shared courtyards. The interplay of old and new architecture creates a tangible urban energy, making the difference between a generic housing estate and the unique identity of Quartier Autopalast.
Pioneering Spirit, Reloaded
We live in a time of rethinking: climate change shows us that holding on to the status quo is no longer viable. Architects carry a particular responsibility—conserving resources and planning with foresight. The most sustainable building is always the one that already exists. Reuse means keeping the CO₂ stored in its concrete locked away, instead of demolishing, transporting debris, and rebuilding—activities that would release even more emissions.
For the Autopalast, the building’s generous floor heights—originally designed for cars—become a major advantage. These spacious interiors make conversion easier and more flexible. This principle is also carried into the new buildings, which are designed with higher-than-usual ceilings to ensure adaptability for future generations.
Sustainability here is not only about conserving resources but also about creating resilient outdoor spaces. Salzburg’s current building regulations still require more than one parking space per apartment, which means underground garages and sealed surfaces are almost unavoidable. Yet we know that the future will bring hotter summers and heavier rainfall. Excessive sealing worsens both problems: it creates urban heat islands and prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground.
That’s why green roofs at Autopalast are more than aesthetic—they are ecological infrastructure. Large planting troughs retain rainwater, while vegetation cools and shades the surroundings, improving the microclimate and supporting biodiversity.
Sustainable planning means more than certification. It calls for future-oriented, interconnected thinking, pragmatic solutions, and a good measure of pioneering spirit.
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