the "hanging gardens" roof garden
hängende gärten
the building is characterised by two residential forms which have completely different structures:
the base of the building contains single storey apartments with access galleries, with gardens on the ground floor and verandas on the upper floors. the top floor is a “hanging garden”, a 2,400 m2 roof garden accessible to all residents in the vertical centre of the building.
two storey terrace house groups are built on the supports of the top open floor.
the rotation of the two systems gives rise to complex internal and external spaces of a variety which only becomes evident as one walks through. the sculptural form, with its courtyards, vistas, prospects and gardens, generates ever new and exciting spatial configurations.
the single, generously proportioned staircase serving 101 apartments forms the focus of the passages in the building and, together with the spacious access galleries, represents the primary meeting point for the residents.
here are located the communal and service areas: the “hanging gardens” roof garden, the winter garden, the offices, the residents’ service area.
top
in buildings where there is a strong sense of identity, it is easier to overcome the conflicts that arise in day to day living with others, the residents see the building as belonging to them, they take responsibility and have a greater sense of wellbeing. communal rooms are an essential part of this, and are arranged along the main passage ways: the hall with kitchen on the ground floor with access to the south courtyard with its flower beds and the garden, the winter garden on the 4th floor within the “hanging gardens”. both rooms have their own washroom areas and are suitable for parties, guest accommodation and games rooms as an “informal” extension to the apartments themselves.
top
the “hanging gardens” roof garden
the entire 4th floor has been laid out as a roof garden with extensive views of the Vienna hills. a combination of open and roofed areas creates a multiplicity of light conditions and possibilities for use. the open areas below the six terraced houses are different in character (children’s playground, ball game area, sunbathing area, gym, pond, Japanese garden), complemented by planted areas such as rose gardens, grassed play area, etc.; climbing plants and vines create a feeling of space. further planting is provided by fruits – raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants, grapes, strawberries and a mulberry tree. the intention is that the residents should look upon the garden as their own, taking over the care and design of it. the greater the involvement, the more imaginative and beautiful the “hanging gardens” will become.
top
the spatial merging of work and leisure have been taken into account in the ground plans. each residential unit has an additional neutral area which can be used as a work space and is oriented towards the access gallery. in addition, offices have been provided adjacent to the staircase in the floors built in the base of the building, and these can be rented by the residents.
top
provision of flats for different generations to live together, or for shared living, providing a living area appropriate to the residents’ needs and time of life. small apartments are provided on the floors built in the base of the building; these can be connected to the neighbouring apartments, similarly maisonettes can be connected with small apartments.
top
the artist matt mullican has created a participatory project for the “hanging gardens”. the future owners of the apartments have provided items from their day to day lives, from which aluminium casts have been made to form “shelf/box sculptures” which are distributed over the building and tell their own stories about the residents.
top
the support point on the ground floor provides services for the residents, undertaking minor repairs in the building and dealing with tasks such as cleaning, ironing, shopping, plant management and pet care.
top
architects günter lautner featuring nicolaj kirisits, collaboration: michaela pammer, wolfgang prader, markus berger, arzu atmaca / developer buwog, peter toth, peter lan / general contractor ast, johann brunner, franz friessnegg / structural engineering novotny&bauer (preliminary structural engineering), karl straka / technical fittings ecosystems / open space planning plansinn
101 apartments (42 freehold apartments, 59 rented apartments with purchase option from 35 to 107 m2)
4 offices, 115 garage parking places
competition 8/1999, submission 11/2000, start of building 11/2001, completion 8/2003