Opens spaces as part of the residential development zone, Vienna

In Vienna’s 2nd district, a new residential area with approximately 1000 apartments is being developed in the area of the former Northern Railway Station. The planning of the building lots that have been parcelled out was awarded by way of project developer competitions. One of these projects with 180 apartments for young and economic housing has been awarded to the Gemeinnützige allgemeine Bau-, Wohn- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft (BWS) with the team of BKK-3 Architektur and Karin Standler Landschaftsarchitektur.

The open space designers have chosen an amorphous shape for the green areas in order to ensure the cohesion between the adjacent buildings lots and architectures. The Golden Rain Trees and Manna Ash Trees structure the open space and are elements used for zoning, shading and visual protection. The network of footways made of bush-hammered, coarse-grained cast-in-place concrete provides passages and ways for strolling inside the residential area, widening several times to make room for open spaces. Concave and convex concrete benches separate the cast-in-place concrete surfaces from the lawn areas and invite visitors to stay for a while.

Grass hills, a volleyball field and balancing bars animate children to play, and they offer them playing areas suitable for their age groups. Special attention is paid to the special needs of girls by providing facilities for games of skill, room for ball games and physical exercise. The open space also offers recreational areas for adults, a wooden terrace on the roof for sunbathing and as meeting area with beds for gardening.