University Inside Out

Universities of Vienna are mainly placed in the inner district or in the city’s suburbs - University Inside Out is placed in the area in-between, in districts of low-income and low education. The university is part of the city, benefits from and at the same time revitalizes its surrounding.

University courtyards are implemented in the city fabric, providing different degrees of intimacy and community. The climatic potential of the patio enables to introduce microclimates for the university and its surrounding and circulation spaces in the courtyards act as communication zones for a future university.

The surrounding houses and prefixed facade system form an inverted courtyard, providing a microclimate for the district. Whereas the main lecture hall and the gymnasium are separately conditioned rooms, the rest of the building acts as a double skin system in wintertime. In summertime, the facade can be fully opened to enhance the airflow. Additionally, geothermal probes activate the building core and stabilize the room temperature.

The courtyards around which the learning spaces are grouped function as circulation spaces and microclimates at the same time. By either capturing the wind or catching the heat of the sun, the courts enable natural ventilation throughout the whole year. The room temperature is stabilized by activating the building core with geothermal probes and solar panels.

Accessed by the main circulation area placed in the green inner courtyard, the flexible floor plan is enabled by an industrial ceiling, providing air supply, heating and electric infrastructure. Labs and seminar rooms are placed in a double skin system providing tempered spaces in winter time which can be openend in summer. The floors facing south provide more shade due to their bigger overhang and rooms are conditions with the help of geothermal probes and solar panels.

Prefixed facade systems connect the main buildings which are spread in the district in walking distance, marking the administrative and institute offices in the existing houses, connected by a pedestrian area. The circulation implement in the prefixed grid functions as communication area and serves as additional staircase, separated from the resident’s one. Additionally, it offers the opportunity for balconies and a green facade and revitalizes therefore the neighborhood.

model materials: wood, cardboard, polystyrol