The Schönbrunner Strasse residential building in Vienna, planned by GERNER GERNER PLUS, was completed in September 2023 together with Projekt 60 GmbH and the numerous other project participants.
The bright, light-flooded flats are orientated towards Schönbrunner Strasse and Wienzeile and impress with their generous glazing. All 60 flats have open spaces in forms of balconies or loggias. Their staggering creates a wide and open situation in the outdoor space. Each open space is equipped with plant troughs so that the tenants can have their own green space.
In general, the entire ensemble appears in light-coloured materials. Wooden elements in the facade create a harmonious atmosphere outside. The commercial areas on the ground floor are glazed as much as possible and allow the exterior to merge with the interior. The open design allows people to see through the ground floor. This design emphasises one of the main features of the building: the views. The entrance area to the building is spacious and bright and deliberately counteracts anxiety and constriction. The portals, windows and balustrades of the open spaces are finished in a light beige colour, while the facade and plant troughs are a smooth white. One of the client's requirements was to limit the use of different materials. The repetition of materials such as concrete or wood enables a cost-effective yet aesthetic and creative realisation of the material limitation. For example, the facade used on the exterior of the ground floor also extends into the building and is repeated in the interior of the ground floor. This in turn reinforces the uniformity of the building.
The offset balconies and loggias create a wide and open situation towards the outside space. The aim of these offsets is to allow plenty of light and little shade for each flat. The arrangement of the balconies and loggias has been chosen according to the direction of the compass to guarantee the greatest possible incidence of light. The south side, which is located along Schönbrunner Strasse, is affected by traffic noise due to heavy road traffic. The plant troughs, which are made of concrete, serve as a barrier to the road and thus offer a retreat. However, the dialogue with the road is maintained thanks to the relocation.
An important decision in the planning of the townhouse is the use of an air heat pump and a photovoltaic system. These systems enable the building to be ‘self-sufficient’. Great care was taken to make all possible rooms and areas, such as the roof terrace, of the building accessible. All flats are also easily adaptable and can therefore be customised to suit all needs.
Tenants have access to a variety of seating areas and raised beds on the roof, so that the roof is brought to life as a lively scene. The corridors to the flats are also bright and have natural light and air spaces from the sides and above. The staircase portals are made of wood, while the flats themselves have solid wood parquet flooring. Additional bicycle hire boxes are provided in the bicycle room and there is a youth playroom and common room.