Photos by Paul Ott

Explanatory report

This project is based on a complete new construction of the entire complex.
The alternative proposal to retain and adapt parts of the existing complex was rejected, as renovating the existing buildings, while a major undertaking, would still not provide the facilities required to run the school in a way that meets contemporary demands.
In addition during the course of the design work it was revealed that the dimensions of the complex imply an entirely different scale that would make a successful integration of parts of the existing complex practically impossible.

The solution in terms of function:
The stables are laid out around a central courtyard. On the one hand this ensures short routes and a clear overview from every point in the yard. This layout allows the staff to carry out their daily work with maximum efficiency. A continuous canopy roof provides protection from the weather in accessing all parts of the complex. The stables intervene radically in the surroundings and are surrounded by open spaces, air and sunlight. This establishes an adequate relationship to outdoor space for the animals.
The services wing that provides a termination to the northwest that offers protection from the elements
Coming from Stremtalstraße the teaching wing forms the start of the complex. As it is the part of school that is most often visited by the general public the riding hall is also located here.

The solution in terms of construction:
In principle three different tectonic levels are articulated, each of which is expressed by means of its respective materials:
• Those parts that rest on the ground are made of concrete.
• The rising walls are built in lightweight timber frame or timber rod construction.
• The roofs are load bearing wooden structures and covered with extensive green planting.

Economy of the solution:
In accordance with the approach to construction outlined above, the most suitable construction method was chosen for each architectural position and optimised: concrete and wood: each material is used where it works best.

Sustainability of the solution in ecological and energy terms:
Most of the building materials used can be recycled and are produced in a way that makes economic use of resources..
The green roofs help buffer the impact of summer heat on the roofs. The rainwater feeds into the public separate drainage pipe. The earth excavated in the course of the building work will be used for modelling the surrounding terrain.

Architectural design approach:
The stables extend like fingers into the surrounding landscape. The complex looks more like a cluster than a traditional four-square farm or a bastion. The buildings, consciously interpreted as part of the landscape, are folded out of the surrounding meadows, their roofs look like elevated grass scars. The entire development is a loosely scatted agricultural enterprise, not a compact industrial complex.

Project team: Pichler & Traupmann Architekten ZT GmbH
Barbara Aull (project leader)
Klemens Gabriel
Luca Baumgartner
Clemens Hasler
Steve Stiglmayr
Wolfgang Windt

Competition:
Bartosz Lewandowski
Christoph Degendorfer

Award:
BAU.GENIAL Preis 2015 - recognition
WOOD DESIGN BUILDING 2015 – citation award
Holzbaupreis Burgenland 2016 – 1st award, Cat.: Industrial & Agricultural Buildings

Structural design / building physics:
RWT PLUS ZT GmbH, Vienna

Building services:
DIE HAUSTECHNIKER Technisches Büro GmbH, Jennersdorf

Structural fire protection:
Norbert Rabl ZT GmbH, Graz

Soil surveying:
Woschitz Engineering ZT GmbH, Oberwart

Consulent organisation of stables:
Dipl. Ing. Breininger, Landwirtschaftskammer Steiermark

Stable equipment:
Planungsbüro Minichshofer, Enns

General contractor:
Bauunternehmung Granit GmbH, Feldkirchen bei Graz