The lecture hall center of the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) combines modern design, functional architecture and innovative structural engineering solutions. As the central location of the campus, it offers space for education, research and meetings. The project is divided into three main areas: The Teaching Center itself, the department’s office building wing and the canteen as a connecting element.

Teaching Center

The Lecture Hall Center itself is divided into the main building with the Audimax and the separate wing to the north with three larger lecture halls – the so-called lecture hall wing. While the lecture hall wing has two storeys, the main building consists of roughly three equal upper storeys (3rd, 4th, 5th floor) and changes its structural uniformity from there (2nd floor, 1st floor, ground floor, basement) in order to keep pace with the requirements of the lecture hall geometry and the spaciousness. Generous steel staircase constructions are located at the sides and rear, which primarily serve the purpose of evacuation. A pre-stressed bridge construction leads from the roof of the green lecture hall to the roof area of the canteen, which also invites people to linger and study – and enables a direct transition from the Teaching Center to the department.

Department

The office wing primarily serves as a work and research area for the university’s departments. With a floor area of 20 x 62 meters and five upper floors, the building offers space for offices and a central atrium that extends over almost all floors.

The supporting structure combines a skeleton system with solid façade elements and striking inclined columns on the first floor. A special feature is the partially green roof landscape, which connects the department with the canteen and provides additional recreational space.

Canteen

The canteen is the link between the lecture hall center and the department and offers space for catering, recreation and meeting.

On three levels (basement, first floor, second floor), the canteen allows free passage between the buildings. The basement serves as a storage and delivery area as well as a waste and residual materials store. A double floor structure ensures height and load balancing. The ceiling above the basement has an innovative design to cope with the loads and usage requirements. The thermally separated parapet and sophisticated ceiling details optimize the building in terms of energy efficiency and stability.

Open space

In the open space area of the University of Economics there are various creative places to linger, relaxation zones, illuminated water basins, various colored exposed concrete enclosures for planting and as seating, many parking spaces for bicycles (also covered), the beautifully designed steel and glass entrances to the underground car park, special light poles, sports facilities, sound games, etc….  … well worth a visit

Factbox

Unser Beitrag: Tragwerksplanung

Planung: BUSarchitektur ZT GmbH

Fotos: © Nikolai Krinner