Wiener Wohnen’s Case Managament (Vienna)

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Wiener Wohnen’s Case Managament (Vienna)

Mismatches Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Governance Evictions

Main objectives of the project

Wiener Wohnen's goal is to offer affordable housing to low-income individuals, particularly vulnerable groups unable to secure private market housing. Yet, many social housing units suffer from non-payment or anti-social behavior. For this reason, Wiener Wohnen launched the Case Management service in 2017. This initiative employs social workers to assist tenants at risk of eviction due to financial or behavioral issues. Preventing evictions saves significant costs and reduces human suffering, with the program proving effective by contacting 85% of at-risk tenants and annulling 70% of potential evictions. This model not only supports tenants but also promotes social responsibility and sustainable practices, making it a replicable solution for other housing companies.

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Wiener Wohnen

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Austria, Vienna

Description

The goal of Wiener Wohnen, a public social housing company, is to offer affordable and adequate accommodation to low-income individuals. In municipal housing blocks, the proportion of people at risk of poverty, disadvantaged, or unemployed is generally much higher than in other housing forms. Wiener Wohnen pursues a “social allocation of accommodation” scheme for vulnerable individuals who cannot access affordable housing in the private market. Approximately 900 households are evicted from municipal housing each year due to non-payment of rent or anti-social behavior, affecting around 1,800 people annually. Analysis shows that many of those affected do not establish contact with Wiener Wohnen, either after receiving a court order or before eviction. Economically, each eviction costs the housing company at least €10,000 and causes immense human suffering. There are hidden costs for the local government related to caring for homeless people. Scientific findings indicate that eviction is particularly disastrous for children, with 350 minors affected each year. Losing their home, friends, and surroundings is a traumatic experience.

To address this, Wiener Wohnen launched their new Case Management service in March 2017. The aim is to prevent evictions through the intervention of social workers. This program organizes professional assistance for tenants in difficult circumstances, such as high rental arrears or signs of anti-social behavior due to mental health problems, substance abuse, dementia, or compulsive hoarding. This approach creates a "win-win situation" for all parties involved. Preventing evictions avoids human misery and the displacement of tenants, along with all associated negative effects. Additionally, it results in significant savings. For the City of Vienna, it also reduces costs since municipal housing is cheaper than providing accommodation in homeless shelters. Another objective is to increase public awareness of social responsibility and sustainability by creating a professional interface between housing companies and social organizations. Case Management helps maintain stable neighborhoods and reduces conflicts in municipal housing, occasionally leading to positive media coverage. Internally, the work of the Case Management team enriches corporate culture by bringing new skills and knowledge to the company, helping employees identify with the socially responsible company concept.

Wiener Wohnen is the only property management company in Vienna employing social workers to prevent evictions or assist people in difficult circumstances. Social workers have a significant and permanent role within the company, acting as an interface with all other relevant social stakeholders in Vienna. A unique qualitative catalogue of services was created for social workers to fill in for each case, allowing for an accurate description of specific services available for tenants and more professional case evaluations. Wiener Wohnen has developed its own software (database) for cases, compliant with GDPR. Due to its high quality, this database is already in demand by other municipal departments. Systematic data collection allows for the permanent optimization of internal procedures.

Case Management was successful in contacting 85% of tenants who had not reached out to Wiener Wohnen regarding an eviction notice. In about 70% of completed cases, the eviction was annulled because tenants had either paid their rent (33%) or entered into an installment agreement (36%). In about 26% of cases, tenants did not wish to cooperate with the social workers or could not be reached. Only 5% of completed cases resulted in evictions.

As a social municipal landlord, Wiener Wohnen benefits tenants by preventing evictions, human misery, and displacement while also saving unnecessary costs for the housing company and the City of Vienna. This service, which took 12 months to establish, is replicable in any socially responsible housing company.

Zuhause Ankommen, combatting homelessness in response to the covid-19 pandemic

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Zuhause Ankommen, combatting homelessness in response to the covid-19 pandemic

Mismatches Vulnerable groups Pandemics
Policies and regulations National policies Evaluation and impact
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships

Main objectives of the project

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, addressing immediate needs and enacting lasting solutions to societal challenges can be concurrent endeavors. 'Zuhause ankommen'—German for 'arriving home'—addresses the exacerbated housing issues during the pandemic while concurrently implementing a sustainable strategy to eradicate homelessness. From May 2021 to April 2022, the initiative allocated 240 apartments to accommodate 600 individuals lacking access to affordable housing across five regions in Austria. Financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection with €2.65 million, the project primarily targeted those severely impacted by the socio-economic consequences of Covid-19 measures, notably homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness. 'Zuhause ankommen' establishes a diverse coalition of stakeholders committed to effectively addressing the complex issue of homelessness in a sustainable manner. By amplifying the Housing First approach to a national scale, the project currently operates through a supra-regional strategy with the objective of raising awareness about homelessness and providing tangible solutions.

Date

  • 2021: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • GBV
  • BAWO
  • ustrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Austria

Description

The COVID-19 was a tough blow for the most vulnerable people. Despite the adminsitriave efforts, in many countries there was a rise in homelessness. This was also the risk in Austria. While subsidies on rent were provided by the Austrian government in 2020, experts including BAWO, the Austrian National Platform of Social Services Provided for the Homeless predicted a rise in poverty, evictions, and homelessness during the pandemic. On the other hand, limited-profit housing associations play a crucial role in fostering housing inclusion through affordable rents and their social mandate. Nonetheless, within this segment, the most vulnerable groups encounter structural challenges, particularly concerning upfront contributions from potential tenants, often unaffordable for those near or below the poverty line. So, there was a threat that they could not able to provide the needed help during the pandemic.

"Zuhause Ankommen" wanted to prevend all this. It serves as a model, addressing both immediate pandemic-induced homelessness and long-term homelessness. This initiative integrates the Austrian limited-profit housing sector, represented by GBV, with the social service sector, represented by BAWO. Collaborating member organizations allocate flats and offer social care, with project expenses funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection.

The project budget covers tenants' upfront contributions, moving expenses, and professional social support, facilitating access for those affected by poverty. Moreover, social organizations assist with home matching and provide support upon arrival, promoting self-sufficiency and independence. The project, closely monitored for fair access regarding age and gender, has allocated 240 flats to people affected by poverty and homelessness. Its success has led to more housing associations joining, furthering the adoption of the Housing First principle to end homelessness sustainably and promote reintegration. Presently, 38 housing associations participate.

Tenants and landlords benefit from tools developed in collaboration with social service organizations, ensuring stable tenancies. "Zuhause Ankommen" offers evidence of innovative housing solutions across Austrian regions, catering to diverse needs in rural and urban areas. Employing Housing First as an innovative method within homeless services, the initiative prioritizes housing as a starting point, offering stability to the most vulnerable.

The strategic communication of the project seek to change how the public views homelessness and the innovative solutions offered by "zuhause ankommen." Utilizing various channels such as social media, digital platforms, print media, and press coverage, the project's achievements and core messages are disseminated to stakeholders, interest groups, policymakers, and the general public.

The project's participatory approach focuses on matching suitable and affordable housing with potential tenants, fostering social inclusion, mixed communities, and stable tenancies. An evaluation process involving workshops and interviews with stakeholders and beneficiaries ensures ongoing improvement, with results informing future efforts against homelessness. By building knowledge and trust between the limited-profit housing sector and the social service sector, "Zuhause Ankommen" exemplifies a strategic, sustainable strategy to combat homelessness, earning recognition such as the European Responsible Housing Award 2022.

Wir inHAUSer Project

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Wir inHAUSer Project

Mismatches Functional adequacy Climate change
Urban Design Liveability
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Innovation
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The residential housing estate Friedrich-Inhauser-Straße is undergoing a thorough renovation and densification initiative, increasing the number of residential units from 75 to 99. Constructed in the 1980s, the complex is also undergoing enhancements with an innovative energy- and mobility-focused approach. Key aspects of the project involve barrier-free design and a social-scientific process engaging residents impacted by the refurbishment. Each household is assured the opportunity to return should they opt to do so.

Date

  • 2020: En proceso
  • 2022: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Constructor: Stadt Salzburg
  • Promotor: Heimat Österreich
  • SIR (Salzburger Institute for Regional Planning and Housing)

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Austria, Salzburg

Description

The residential complex Friedrich-Inhauser Straße, erected in 1985, undergoes an extensive refurbishment due to its below-average energy condition resulting in high heating costs for the tenants occupying the 75 apartments. The necessity for a comprehensive modernization effort stems from various factors including the lack of barrier-free access, inadequate lighting, and urgent requirements for balcony, roof, and moisture insulation upgrades. This refurbishment initiative holds increased significance as it sets a precedent for similar housing estates in Salzburg to follow suit in the future.

Ownership of the buildings lies with the Salzburg municipality, which entered into a 100-year lease agreement with developer Heimat Österreich, stipulating below-market rates in exchange for district renovation. Facilitating the grant via a specific regional subsidy mechanism for housing, the Salzburg regional authority played a pivotal role in supporting the project. A collaborative planning process ensued, involving the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing (SIR), funded by the Climate and Energy Fund under its "Smart Cities Initiative."

Residents were actively engaged through surveys to identify issues and needs, with their input factored into the design process. A multi-partner steering group was established to align on common targets and goals, ensuring a successful renovation process. Quality standards were agreed upon to uphold excellence across various project aspects.

In line with Austria's limited-profit-housing association model, a general contractor was engaged, alongside Energy Consulting Austria (ECA) for heating and power supply system design, and MO.Point for mobility services. The creation and management of the 'mobility point' were entrusted to FAMILY OF POWER e-Carsharing, facilitating various non-carsharing options such as bike-sharing and cargo-bike-sharing.

The overarching goal of the refurbishment is to reduce the carbon footprint by implementing sustainable concepts encompassing energy, mobility, and building materials. This includes insulation, construction of an extra floor using hybrid material, and a switch from natural gas to a heat pump system deriving energy from multiple sources. The temporary accommodation of the tenants was ensured by five other social housing providers in the city, who offered their dwellings for the temporary need.

Insulation of the exterior of the building with cellulose were installed. An extra floor was constructed with hybrid material (wood and concrete). The architect made the decision to keep the original wooden structure and shape of the building. As for the energy system, refurbishing the heating system of the complex was done. Natural gas was switched to a heat pump which derives 45% of its energy from wastewater, 30% from waste air, and 25% from biomass pellets and photovoltaic panels on the roof with very low temperatures.

A major innovation was offering the “Mobility Point”: a room of approx. 25 m² (accessible to all residents using their own key), comprising sharing products (mobility modules): bicycle basket trailers, bicycle child trailers, e-scooters and e-bikes, an e-cargo pedelec and an e-car. The charging stations for the e-mobility modules are located directly in or in front of the Mobility Point. In contrast the number of parking spots was reduced compared to the usual number. Moreover, they set up of a parcel room to save unnecessary journeys and related CO₂ emissions. It contains the MYFLEXBOX, an intelligently networked and flexibly usable locker system in which parcels and other items can be safely deposited and picked up around the clock.

The project's achievements have been recognized with multiple awards, including the klimaaktiv: GOLD award for sustainable residential and service buildings. Furthermore, its positive impact on the housing sector in Salzburg has spurred adoption of similar strategies by both social and private housing providers.

JAspern - Cohousing in Vienna

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JAspern - Cohousing in Vienna

Promotion and production Self-management Self-construction Cooperatives

Main objectives of the project

In Seestadt Aspern, located in Vienna, certain areas were designated for construction groups, leading to the implementation of a cohousing project by the JAspern construction group. This project consists of 18 residential units and stands out as one of the pioneering participatory housing initiatives in Seestadt Aspern. Noteworthy features include adherence to the highest energy standards, akin to passive house levels, as well as exceptional user comfort. Furthermore, the project embraces an innovative socio-cultural approach to community living and boasts a comprehensive building ecology concept, making it a well-rounded success.

Date

  • 2014: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: POS

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Vienna
Country/Region: Austria, Vienna

Description

Vienna boasts a rich history of social housing, yet experiences of cohousing are relatively uncommon. JAspern represents a departure from the norm, paving the way for new community-building approaches. Remarkably, this project is not led by a traditional developer but rather by a collective of 18 pioneering families who collaborated closely with architects and constructors to bring their vision to life.

The building itself adheres to rigorous PassivHouse standards, ensuring exceptional quality. Notably, features such as point-supported ceilings, a flexible facade grid, and spacious room heights of 2.8 meters enhance adaptability in terms of usage, apartment layouts, and room sizes. Urban ecological considerations are also prominent, with provisions for urban gardening and extensive green roof areas. At the heart of the building lies a vibrant roof terrace equipped with a meeting lounge, a launderette, and spaces for urban gardening, fostering daily activities such as gardening, grilling, socializing, and celebrations.

Furthermore, JAspern served as a testing ground for the quality assurance tool "monitor aspern seestadt," underscoring its commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation. The building features a central ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery and individual volume flow control in each apartment. Energy supply is bivalent, utilizing both district heating and heat pumps.

Facilitating community engagement is the JAspern salon, a versatile multifunctional space standing at four meters high and optimized acoustically and climatically. This space, capable of accommodating up to 60 people, serves as a hub for both the house community and external individuals, hosting a diverse range of activities and events. Additionally, the building incorporates amenities such as a communal workshop, conveniently accessible via a ramp from the courtyard, and a bicycle garage located in the bustling basement area.

Residential building St. Gallenkirch

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Residential building St. Gallenkirch

Financing
Urban Design
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Living like in a Rubik dice. A residential complex in which no other dwelling is like the other and can lend a room to another apartment just like it is needed.

Date

  • 2016: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Markus Dorner
  • Architect: Christian Matt

Location

City: Gemeinde Sankt Gallenkirch
Country/Region: Austria

Description

Since 2005, the state of Vorarlberg has been committed to building an energy-efficient building culture, particularly in integrated housing construction. This also includes a high-quality and resource-conserving building, in which economics and ecology, social and culture are in harmony.

For the new residential complex in the center of St.Gallenkirch these ideas are deduced from the local volumetry of the solitaires on the slope and applied to the new building.

a clear construction body is deliberately placed at the dedication limit and turned to the found slope.

This creates with the surrounding buildings and terrain edges, strong local-spatial relations such as to the church as well as the distant Silvretta or the Gweilgroup.
In the Montafon, the settlements were often built near the bottom of the valley in favor of the higher and better-sheltered soils on the mountain. This rural value is opposed to the reduction of the daylight of the valley. The new residential building is located on the valley's lowest settlement boundary.

A resource-conserving strategy and considerations of cost-effectiveness allow new ways to recover the lost light. Thus almost every apartment - apart from the last level on top of the building - has about eight square meters of air space over two floors. Nature and light penetrate these openings deeply into the interior and they leave the views to the outside in the distance linger.

The rooms of the apartments overlay each other and layer themselves over the floors in a central "supply core".

This high flexibility of the basic design results from the modular development concept. It is like a tetris with many solutions.
The conceptual simplicity turns itself as it were from the inside outwardly.

The energetic supply strings and the wet rooms are located around the central development zone of reinforced concrete.

Between this zone and the outer skin in a multibox construction lies the adaptable range of variance instead of addition - even in the third dimension.

The reflections on the interior are also visible in the façade.

The room-high, prefabricated riftboard elements form the frame for the lower multi-box and give the building a pleasant tectonics. A single window type is added according to the inner texture.

Co-Housing Vienna

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Co-Housing Vienna

Policies and regulations
Financing
Urban Design
Promotion and production

Main objectives of the project

In the center of Vienna, in the so called Nordbahnhofgelände, an incubator of sustainable urban living is created: the Co-housing Vienna - Wohnprojekt Wien. The Co-housing project was finalised on December 2013, it consists of 39 apartment units, and it is located in an attractive newly developed, urban area.

Date

  • 2013: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Markus Pendlmayr
  • Architect: Markus Zilker
  • Architect: Katharina Bayer

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Vienna
Country/Region: Austria

Description

The heart of the project is a self-organised community and the shared dream to live together in the city in a sustainable, collaborative and open-minded way. This way started from the very beginning with the participatory planning process of the communal spaces and the individual apartment units, continued with the creation of an alternative mobility system, a communal garden for the neighborhood, and ended up with the communal ownership of the building, in other words with active participation during all the levels of the projectŽs development.
One of the greatest challenges of the project was to achieve high individualisation inside the frames of community and to express it in terms of architectural design. Several communal spaces offer the possibility for exchange and communication while the individual apartment units can be spaces for retreat. The communicative architecture of the building promotes free and spontaneous encounters. The apartments and the common spaces were developed and designed from the very begining under the cooperation of the architects and the residents, allowing in this way alternative modes of living and flexible uses. The common spaces consist of the guest apartments, a sauna on the roof and on the lower floors, a communal kitchen, workshops and event rooms including a playroom for children. The project is hosting different models of living and working, multiple generations and diverse cultures under the same roof. The building is planned with almost passive-house standards and consists of a massive construction body with a wooden facade.

Size of the site: 4.783m²

Size of the building: 5.300m²
The energy efficiency is supported by a mechanical ventilation system with temperature controlled through groundwater and a photovoltaic installation on the rooftop.

At the end the Co-housing Vienna is a model for a new way of living in the city of Vienna.

Centre for Secure Housing of Vienna – securing tenancies and preventing evictions

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Centre for Secure Housing of Vienna – securing tenancies and preventing evictions

Policies and regulations

Main objectives of the project

Date

  • 1996:

Stakeholders

  • Fachstelle für Wohnungssicherung

Location

City: Vienna
Country/Region: Austria, Vienna

Description

There are many agencies, both public and civil society, designed to supervise the private rental sector and improve the tenant security. In Vienna, to prevent evictions and ensure fair tenancy procedures, the Centre for Secure Housing (Fachstelle für Wohnungssicherung – FAWOS) was established in 1996 to provide rapid, efficient help to persons facing eviction. It is an agency of the Department of Social Affairs, Social and Health Law of the city of Vienna.

Authors:

Gleis 21 – We bring the village to the city

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Gleis 21 – We bring the village to the city

Urban Design

Main objectives of the project

Date

  • 2021: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: einszueins architektur
  • Architect:  YEWO LANDSCAPES GmbH
  • Constructor: Weissenseer Holz-System-Bau GmbH 

Location

City: Vienna
Country/Region: Austria, Vienna

Description

Under the motto “Setting the course together”, the co-housing project Gleis 21 was planned in a participatory manner with the future residents, from urban development to the socket outlet. The property is located in the center of the new urban development area “Leben am Helmut Zilk Park” near the Vienna Central Station („Hauptbahnhof Wien“). The project and the cultural association of the same name want to contribute to the development of the district. Communication within and outward, is key at Gleis 21.

The co-housing project Gleis 21 builds on three major principles: “living in solidarity”, “indulging cleverly”, and “creating with media”. Solidarity is lived in a variety of ways, be it simple neighborhood services or a Solidarityfund for personal emergencies. Lived solidarity also includes certain appartements, that were planned in cooperation with Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst (a refugee aid organization), that can be given to refugees.

To help shape the cultural, social and media life in the newly developed quarter, a cooperation with Radio Orange, Okto TV and Stadkino Wien (cinema) was formed. The cultural Organization Gleis 21 is going to ensure a steady cultural program adapted to and in unison with its surroundings. A music-school on the lower floor rounds out the cultural scope of opportunity.
Extensive communal areas represent the focus of the communal aspect and offer space for common and individual use: from the communal kitchen to the library and sauna on the top floor to the workshop, studio and fitness room in the basement. The selection and details of community-spaces were made by the residents and form the center of communal aspects of the project.

The project was designed as a compact, zero-energy house („Niedrigstenergiehaus“) in a wood-hybrid construction and was built in a resources saving way.

The individually planned housing-units on the upper four floors are accessed via an open north-west-facing arcade and are all equipped with private balconies. The neutral and flexible structure of the building enabled each unit to be planned individually in collaboration with its residents

Authors:

Performative Brise- Soleil

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Performative Brise- Soleil

Urban Design Services and infrastructure Liveability

Main objectives of the project

The Performative Brise-Soleil transforms a challenging housing location into a space of abundance. It is part of an urban neighborhood offering affordable housing, social amenities, and commercial spaces. The vertical organization within the building allows for diverse flat types, including cluster-living and housing cooperatives. The Performative Brise-Soleil, a vertical "garden-shelf," creates a three-dimensional sphere of free space while serving as a noise shield. It acts as a parametric sculpture along the highway, deflecting noise and providing access to the apartments. The concrete structure reflects the building's inner complexity and incorporates open and closed surfaces. The use of climbing plants adds a layer of greenery to the building over time.

Date

  • 2018: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: StudioVlayStreeruwitz ZT-GMBH

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Vienna
Country/Region: Austria, Vienna

Description

Translating constraints into spatial abundancy: Vertical free space for subsidized housing The architectural invention of the Performative Brise-Soleil turns an “impossible” housing location into exciting spatial opportunities, undermining the scarce realm of subsidized housing with abundant free spaces. The project is part of a new urban neighbourhood offering affordable housing (about 600 rental apartments) with additional social, educational and commercial uses in the ground floor. The bar-type (156 apts) forms the neighbourhood’s western edge, shielding off the highway-noise from the inner-area. Its ground floor provides a kindergarten, a workshop for handicapped people, a communal gym-space, and an office for caretakers of homeless people.

The complex vertical organisation within the bar allows for the stacking of diverse flat types, enabling a wide range of living-models, including cluster-living and housing cooperatives. The complexity’s common denominator is the Performative Brise-Soleil: a vertical “garden-shelf”, whose significant concrete structure converts the protective idea of a noise-shield into a 3-dimensional sphere of experiencing free space.

The Performative Brise-Soleil is a design-coup, which converts the defensive obligation of noise-protection into an inviting cosmos of co-living: the combination of type-mutation (vertical differentiation), landscape-infiltration, and living diversity transforms the noise-shield-bar into a socially sustainable and spatially generous vertical neighbourhood. Along the highway the Brise-Soleil represents itself as a parametric sculpture meticulously designed for orchestrating the proximity between highway and living. On the lower levels, a specific configuration of patios and balconies deflects the noise. Above, open access corridors, accompanied by sliding glass elements and storage boxes, offer both access and free space to the apartments, via bridges, framing single atriums above the “commons”, a generous neighbourhood-terrace on 5th floor. The Brise-Soleil reflects the curved building’s inner complexity: a stacking of different flat-types and landscapes, provoking synergies for a mixed housing program, which, aside from usual living models, involves housing-cooperatives, cluster-living, and special forms of generation-living. Construction and materiality emphasize the vertical diversity of flat-types. The concrete structure is used to extrapolate vertical diversity: the bar type’s depth alternates between 13 and 23m. Spatially, structurally and physically, the face of the Performative Brise-Soleil is the most significant element, hiding and expressing the building’s inner complexity at the same time. Its texture of open and closed surfaces consists of concrete as the main ingredient, reflecting the concept of adding value to a realm of scarcity. The concrete’s surfaces alternate between rough/raw, as created by the nonchalance of the construction-team, and elegant/noble, provided by a prefabricated relief of irregular vertical lines. Single glazing is discretely inserted for noise protection where necessary. Along the common terrace runs a plant-trough made of galvanized steel that accentuates the gentle curve of the building. From this trough, climbing plants grow along vertical cables, continuing the personalized greenery from the lower balconies and patios, which in time will cover the building with a layer of leaves, adding a secondary materiality.

Authors:

Lohbach Residences

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Lohbach Residences

Urban Design

Main objectives of the project

This housing development, located in Innsbruck, features six buildings with five to seven storeys, offering a total of 298 apartments. The car-free zones, designed by artists, serve as playgrounds and are accessible via paved paths. The apartments have French windows leading to balconies, providing ample free spaces accessible from every room. Copper shutters and satinated glass parapets offer sun protection, weather resistance, and privacy. The development includes a supervised home for the elderly and apartments equipped for elderly or disabled individuals. Sustainability, ecological standards, comfort, and low operational costs are prioritized in this new part of Innsbruck. The compact buildings with varying heights optimize space and offer views of the surrounding landscape. The use of shutters on the balconies allows for a flexible balance between private and public life. The planning process emphasizes software over hardware, resulting in cost savings without compromising quality. The staircases and surface materials maintain a high standard uncommon in social housing projects.

Date

  • 2000: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Baumschlager Eberle / be St Gallen

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Innsbruck
Country/Region: Austria

Description

This housing development is located at the west end of the Franz-Baumann-Weg and forms the border between the residential and agricultural zones in the western part of Innsbruck. The 298 apartments of the complex are spread out over six buildings with five to seven storeys, accessed via a system of paved paths and areas. Designed by artists, these zones are car free and also utilised by children as playgrounds. A covered entrance area leads to the large stairways lit from overhead from which the units are accessed. All openings to the outside are French windows providing access to the balconies that run around the buildings. As a result, each apartment disposes of generous free spaces accessible from every room. Shutters made of copper and parapets of satinated glass serve as a protection from sun and weather and provide privacy. There is a supervised daily home for elderly people in one of the buildings and apartments with special equipment for elderly or handicapped persons. All houses have direct access to the underground car park.
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This new part of Innsbruck is characterised by sustainability, high ecological standards, comfort for the inhabitants and minimal operational costs. The energy savings for space heating and domestic hot water heating amount to approximately 70 per cent compared to conventional dwellings of the same size. The placement of these six extremely compact buildings with different height levels permits that the spaces between have been omptimised while providing for a high density. These spaces offer interesting views of the surrounding landscape and the use of the shutters on the balconies mediates the relationship between private and public life allowing for continual change and in accordance with the inhabitants needs.

The aim to use more software and less hardware in the whole planning process has been achieved without compromising on quality. Cost savings for the inhabitants have been achieved on invisible parts and both the generously dimensioned staircases with stone floors and the high standard of surface materials are not often found in social housing projects.

Authors: