From the centre outwards
Data de publicação: 27.08.2024
Urban sprawl and redensification are among the most frequently discussed topics in the architecture industry. Time and again, it turns out that we are still a long way from realising the full potential of these concepts. The Viennese architecture firm Berger Parkkinen has already found what others are still looking for.
The team led by husband-and-wife architects Alfred Berger and Tiina Parkkinen, who founded the joint Austrian-Finnish office in Vienna in 1995, is already an ‘old hand’ when it comes to extensive knowledge of sustainable construction. This is evident not only from the many projects they have realised, including the Wientalterrassen residential quarter, which has received numerous environmental and architectural awards, such as the klimaaktiv Gold, the Österreichischen Betonpreis (Austrian Concrete Prize) and the Solarpreis (Solar Prize). Once again, they are demonstrating their expertise with a small, elegant project in Vienna's densely built-up 18th district of Währing, providing a strong answer to the idea that sustainable construction is not a question of scale, but can be implemented and achieved depending on the requirements.
The task was to develop two new buildings in a charming courtyard for the Studio Comploj, under the direction of glassblower Robert Comploj, in the Martinstraße in Vienna. The buildings were to be used as a workshop, showroom and salesroom on the one hand, and as private living space with a garden on the other. The original three existing post-war buildings were integrated into the new concept, along with the wonderful old trees, which did not have to be felled for the project. Skilful measures were used to develop something special and to adapt the buildings to contemporary comfort and energy standards.
The primary goal was to breathe new life into the vacant buildings. Ultimately, workshops and manufacturing companies in Vienna's backyards have a long historical tradition, which has been taken up again here. The Atelier Comploj was originally located in an ordinary commercial property near the city centre, where the most incredible things have been made out of glass since 2017. By moving to the outskirts of the city, the Tyrolean-born glass artist can now ideally combine his professional and private lives.
The original three buildings are now strongly connected. The most striking of these – a construction made of a reinforced concrete frame with skylights – now houses the glassblowing workshop with an imposing furnace and forms the ‘invisible heart’ of the ensemble. The building is almost completely enclosed, but opens up to the lush green courtyard via a generous glass sliding door. From above, light penetrates into the place of creation and craftsmanship. The second building, which is directly adjacent and also on the ground floor, is used as a gallery-like exhibition and sales room for the glass sculptures, as well as for the office, with floor-to-ceiling French windows. The brickwork and the wooden roof truss have been preserved here. In addition, plenty of light and the view of the garden play an important role.
The third building, and today actually the second, is reserved for the family itself. The original single-storey building with a flat roof, where a former office was located, was extended by an upper floor and wrapped in a bronze-coloured metal facade, while the studio and showroom were given a smooth plaster facade. This structure not only slightly sets itself apart from the other buildings in its geographical position, but also in its appearance, which is intended to draw a clear boundary in terms of design and content.
Although some elements could be preserved and ultimately incorporated into the overall concept, the focus here was less on the preservation of historical monuments and more on the revival of a tradition and the revitalisation of forgotten but valuable spaces, which are being used to present new ideas that tie in with the past. The craft and the place where it is created take centre stage and give the disused business a second chance. This project not only illustrates the successful preservation and transformation of existing buildings, but also the creation of a welcoming, versatile environment for art, craftsmanship and family life. With its special quality, this presents the formerly unattractive, abandoned courtyard and even the post-war buildings on neighbouring properties in a completely new light.