Wohnen mit scharf!
The site of the former train station Nordbahnhof in the second district is currently considered one of the largest inner-city development areas in Vienna. During a housing developer competition in 2010 the project “Wohnen mit alles!” came to live. It originated from the cooperation between a developer, two architect’s offices and a residential community. The building “Wohnen mit scharf!” by SUPERBLOCK is an exemplary project that alongside with aesthetic and architectural quality focuses on individual and intergenerational functionality.
The project “Wohnen mit alles!” includes two eight-storey buildings, which are placed along the borders of the corner site, contributing to the clear spatial definition from the adjacent street and city space. The spacious outdoor area within the complex will be designed communally and serve as a contact zone for the residents of both buildings. This shared space functions as a connective link between the two apartment blocks and creates a place for common activities.
The spacious vertically layered residential floors are virtually soaring above each other. Such kind of structure enables broad public use of the ground floor area, thus underlining the urban character of the quarter. The ground-floor segments, some of them two-storey, are additionally highlighted through the bright colour, which is also used for the openings in the staircase area and on the top floors. North-west side of the complex features a recreation area for young people; on the south-east side a spacious café occupies the entire front of the ground floor.
As the needs of the residents may differ a lot, the living units are designed in different sizes (50 to 120 m2 of living space) and are highly multifunctional. This way the apartments can stay compatible with the changing circumstances of their dweller’s life, like a new family member or a stay home job. The low share of own funds will be particularly favourable for young people and immigrants. This goes in hand with the ultimate objective of the competition - promoting intercultural living.
The lower levels of the building contain single-storey units, situated along the naturally lit open staircase. The maisonette apartments of the two top floors will be outlined by two-storey glass panels. All residential units feature spacious balconies; their concrete slabs merge into the side railings and roof elements. The sculpted design of the balconies combined with the bright-coloured openings in the otherwise solid cubature lends the building a high recognition value and allows identifying the residents with their home. The shared roof terrace offers the residents a panoramic view over the city with all its sights.
