STYLISH BRICKWORK

monumenti

When it comes to designing new urban districts, you not only need space, infrastructure and investors, but also appropriate “monumenti”, as Aldo Rossi once put it, i.e. distinctive and effective architecture that attracts and locates people and characterises a cityscape. The task of The Brick building complex in Vienna, designed by Rüdiger Lainer + Partner Architekten, was not limited to accommodating a hotel, restaurants and offices on ten floors with a gross floor area of 30,730 square metres. In addition, a form was developed that is suitable as a landmark and which, with its elongated brick façades, stands in the urban space along the traffic flow of Triester Strasse in Vienna. With this characteristic material, which is now unfortunately rarely used for building façades, the commissioning company Wienerberger refers not only to its own product, but also to the brickworks that originally worked here.

green future

It goes without saying that the new district is no longer an industrial area, but is already urban and lively, and the “Biotope City” label points to a green future, which is reflected in the ecologically sustainable quality of the building, which has already been recognised twice as outstanding. The architectural concept includes efficient variability that guarantees a variety of uses and usability. In terms of both design and materials, this is based on a deliberately simple, robust and sophisticated load-bearing structure, combined with an intelligent room system that can be optimised and adapted to a wide range of functional requirements in line with the ideas of developers and users. The open floor plan of the storeys with free-standing columns creates flexibility. The façade with its calm window rhythm, which also conveys a pleasant sense of solidity to the outside, is helpful for the arrangement of smaller internal structures such as an individual office system.

What do you consider to be the key qualities of a good workplace?
Martin Kasa (Wienerberger) and Oliver Sterl (RLP): The following qualities have a significant influence on employee satisfaction and productivity: mobile and agile working at the workplace, comfortable and healthy ergonomics, well thought-out lighting, colour concept, room layout according to private or concentrated, cooperative, collaborative areas, low noise level and good acoustics, pleasant air conditioning and air exchange (healthy indoor air quality), perfect IT technology, modularity and adaptability to changing needs.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
Both areas are living spaces for the people who spend time there. Sun, air, a pleasant atmosphere,
orientation and identification are key design parameters for these spaces.
Which functional aspects do you consider to be the most important for the future development of workspaces?
The spatial and temporal separation of living, leisure and work is becoming increasingly blurred. Workspaces must form the shell for this living environment.