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Sustainability with the power of two
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Sustainability with the power of two

Architectural firm Pittino & Ortner based in Styria, Austria, is making a name for itself on two fronts: with its huge timber-hybrid book storage facility in Vienna and its café on Lake Thalersee near Graz.

The terms “coffee house” and “literature” are ubiquitous in travel guides to Austria and its capital city Vienna. For architectural firm Pittino & Ortner from Styria, an entirely different connection has unexpectedly arisen. Firstly, in 2022 the architects won the competition to build a huge book storage facility in Vienna. And secondly, they were responsible for the Thalersee Garten (see picture above) near Graz. These are two very different projects that are worth a closer look.

“Knowledge warehouse”: the new Bücherdepot is being built on the Siemensgründe site in Vienna. (Credit: Pittino & Ortner)
“Knowledge warehouse”: the new Bücherdepot is being built on the Siemensgründe site in Vienna.

The architects describe the Bücherdepot, or book depot, as a “knowledge warehouse” for the city of Vienna. Their aim is to ease the pressure on the overflowing book storage facilities of several universities. The new building will house 130,000 linear metres of books in around 12,000 square metres of space.

Ample space for books

More than 100,000 linear metres are earmarked for the University of Vienna: over two million volumes from the main library’s collection will be moved to the new building. The remaining capacities will be for the libraries of the Vienna University of Technology, the University of Applied Arts Vienna, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and the Geological Survey of Austria.

Economical timber-hybrid building

The developer and owner of the property on the Siemensgründe site in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district is the federal real estate company Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG). Total costs, including those for furnishings and relocation, are estimated at 37.8 million euros. The new depot is set to be completed by the end of 2024. Pittino & Ortner’s design promises a sustainable timber-hybrid building that will save energy and cut costs over the long term.

The new book depot is designed as a compact block.
The storage building designed by Pittino & Ortner will house 130,000 linear metres of books.

To this end, the architects have designed an angular complex focusing on function and energy efficiency. It is simple, largely window-free and with a façade made of perforated sheet metal reminiscent of a solid bookshelf. With tree-lined paths around the new building and a greened façade on its north side, the functional building will blend harmoniously into its surroundings.

Striking entrance funnel

The central design element is a two-storey “entrance funnel” set back along the entire south side. This inviting touch acts as a guide, while the attractive design of the forecourt will entice visitors to linger.

Reinforced concrete carriers

Pittino & Ortner has designed the Bücherdepot as an eco-friendly, energy-saving, timber-hybrid building. With a reinforced concrete skeleton, timber is used wherever possible. The bulk of the components can be prefabricated.

Compact and expandable

The concept behind the compact, five-storey building aims to minimize the need for primary energy and the carbon footprint. A photovoltaic system on the roof will generate more than 300 kWp. Pittino & Ortner says that expansions are possible later on, without interrupting operations in the Bücherdepot.

Completed in 2022: the Thalersee Garten project in the Austrian state of Styria.
Completed in 2022: the Thalersee Garten project in the Austrian state of Styria.

While the Bücherdepot is expected to open at the end of 2024, guests are already able to take a seat on the terrace of the Thalersee Garten. Back in August 2022, a soft opening marked the start of year-round full operation of the new hotspot. In addition to around 100 seats indoors and 100 outdoors, there is a seminar room and six rooms for overnight stays on the upper floor.

Where the Terminator proposed

The project jointly initiated by the City of Graz, Holding Graz and the municipality of Thal is located on the site of the public bathing beach at Lake Thalersee, which opened around 100 years ago. This elongated new building, designed by Pittino & Ortner, is situated at one of the region’s most popular destinations for a day out. The story goes that Styria’s most famous son, Hollywood star and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, proposed to his (now ex-) wife Maria Shriver here.

Thalersee Garten & book depot. Designs for the Thalersee Garten. (Credit: Pittino & Ortner)
Thalersee Garten & book depot. Designs for the Thalersee Garten. (Credit: Pittino & Ortner)

53 firms took part in the competition tendered by “Referat Hochbau” in 2020 – with extremely innovative and spectacular designs (such as the one by Smartvoll Architekten from Vienna) being submitted. Pittino & Ortner’s proposal was chosen to meet the ultimate objective: a building that puts sustainability front and centre.

Eco-friendly destination

Heat pumps, for example, are now used for heating and cooling, while the lake acts as a retention basin for flood protection. Photovoltaic systems are expected to cover the new site’s electricity requirements.

Boat and bike hire in summer, ice skates in winter: the café is open all year round. (Credit: Pittino & Ortner)
Boat and bike hire in summer, ice skates in winter: the café is open all year round.

In accordance with the Pittino & Ortner plans, mostly environmentally friendly materials were used for construction. Parts of the once-popular but now demolished restaurant “Ausflugsgasthaus Kling” can also be found in the new building. And the concrete that needed to be used due to flood protection measures has a lower carbon footprint, according to official information.

Hotspot for all seasons

To encourage green travel to the café, the frequency of bus route 48 from the Graz district of Gösting has been increased, cycle paths extended and charging stations set up for e-bikes and e-cars. In addition, bike, boat and ice skate rental as well as toilets for lake visitors will entice guests to the Thalersee Garten all year round.

The café on Lake Thalersee is already in operation, the book depot in Vienna opens in late 2024. (Credit: Pittino & Ortner)
Viennese cuisine, Styrian architecture: the Thalersee Garten.

In the spring of 2024, new tenants moved into the café at Lake Thalersee: KraftMoments is a team of experienced restaurateurs who have five outlets in London. They include Florian Bollen, who is also responsible for the Gleis//Garten food market in the former train depot of the Badner Bahn in Vienna. In addition to breakfast and a daily lunch menu, their culinary concept strives to bring inexpensive regional snacks and a broad spectrum of dishes for all age groups to the idyllic shores of the lake.

Text: Elisabeth Schneyder
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Images: Pittino & Ortner

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Forest bathing on your doorstep

Dutch architectural firm Gaaga has designed a residential building in Eindhoven that is distinctly people- and environment-friendly. Surrounded by trees, it is situated in the middle of a park.

A design hotel on a bunker
A design hotel on a bunker

The redevelopment of an above-ground Nazi-era bunker is Hamburg’s largest building project since the Elbe Philharmonic Concert Hall. With spectacular rooftop gardens and nhow Hamburg design hotel, this new landmark in the heart of the St. Pauli district is sure to become a magnet for visitors.

The tessellated pavilion
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The tessellated pavilion

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Australian artist Geoff Nees teamed up to design the Botanical Pavilion – a wooden pavilion that is constructed like a 3D puzzle – without using any kind of glue or screws.

The house made by 3D printers
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The house made by 3D printers

The round construction known as TECLA has created quite a stir. Having teamed up as 3D printing pioneers, WASP and Mario Cucinella Architects have produced the first CO₂-free housing prototype printed entirely from raw earth.

Origami in wood
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Origami in wood

Japanese architectural firm UENOA has created a wooden office that has no need for bearing walls. Folded origami-style, the ceiling construction gives a whole new lightness to cross-laminated timber.

“Climate change changes everything”
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“Climate change changes everything”

Sustainability is a top priority for the Powerhouse Company. In an interview, partner Stefan Prins explains why this means more than just a careful choice of materials and energy efficiency, and how essential it is to consider all the changes brought about by climate change when building.

A timber high-rise goes into production
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A timber high-rise goes into production

The Life Cycle Tower One was the first timber high-rise in Austria and the prototype for a new type of serial construction. CREE founder Hubert Rhomberg explains the green building concept and why we have to learn to think in lifecycles.

Timber housing on a modest budget
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Timber housing on a modest budget

Most people looking for a new home with a sustainable design need to have deep pockets. Rotterdam’s Pendrecht district aims to buck this trend courtesy of timber building Valckensteyn, the brainchild of the architects at Powerhouse Company.

All in the name
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All in the name

In Düsseldorf, The Cradle is gradually taking shape. The timber hybrid office building is being constructed according to circular economy principles, and these will also govern its future use.

Twin peaks for the Netherlands
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Twin peaks for the Netherlands

The Dutch city of Eindhoven will soon be home to the world’s highest “plyscraper”. The two towers – 100 and 130 metres high and known as the Dutch Mountains – are to set new standards in high-rise timber construction.

New Kiez on the Block
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New Kiez on the Block

An entire residential complex in Berlin-Kreuzberg is to be built out of timber – vertically. With a planned height of almost 100 metres, WoHo is set to be Germany’s tallest timber building.

Crowned with timber
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Crowned with timber

A mixed-use project in Sweden’s Gothenburg is being crowned by star architect Dorte Mandrup. The jewel in this crown is its use of timber. The new eco construction is intended to become an icon in sustainable urban architecture.

Feel-good furniture
#interior
Feel-good furniture

Designed by US architect David Rockwell, built according to WELL Building Standard principles. The Sage Collection by British furniture maker Benchmark is good for humans and the environment.

Plyscraper on Lake Geneva
#city planning
Plyscraper on Lake Geneva

Swiss urban planning combines prominent architecture with ecological timber construction. Lausanne’s Tilia Tower is setting a high standard in future-proof urban development.

A district made of wood
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A district made of wood

Munich’s Prinz-Eugen-Park is the site of the largest integrated timber settlement in Germany. And that’s not all – the city planners have even more in the pipeline.

Gare Maritime restored in timber splendour
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Gare Maritime restored in timber splendour

Once Europe’s largest freight station, Brussels’ monumental Gare Maritime is now the largest European CLT project. Neutelings Riedijk Architects have transformed the historic structure into a covered district, giving it a sustainable new lease of life using cross-laminated timber.

Sydney hosts a timber innovation
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Sydney hosts a timber innovation

The plans just unveiled for the new, 180-metre-high timber tower designed for the Sydney-based software giant Atlassian represent a milestone in environmentally friendly construction using this renewable raw material.

Baptism of fire
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Baptism of fire

Charred is the new black. An ancient Japanese technique for conserving wood is all the rage in contemporary architecture. As well as looking sophisticated, this building material scores top marks when it comes to sustainability.