Library and Learning Centre University of Economics Vienna / Zaha Hadid Architects

Architects

Zaha Hadid Architects
Location

Vienna, Austria
Category

University
Partners in Charge

Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
Project Architect

Cornelius Schlotthauer
Construction Project Team

Enrico Kleinke, Markus Planteu, Vincenco Cocomero, Peter Irmscher, Katharina Jacobi, Constanze Stinnes, Peter Hornung, Frédéric Beaupère, Mirjam Matthiessen, Marc-Philipp Nieberg, Tom Finke,Kristoph Nowak, Susanne Lettau, Jahann Shah Beyzavi, Florian Goscheff, Daniela Nenadic, Judith Wahle, Rassul Wassa, Julian Breinersdorfer, Nastasja Schlaf, Muhammed Patat, Elisabeth Dirnbacher
Competition Project Team

Cornelius Schlotthauer, Marc-Philipp Nieberg, Enrico Kleinke, Kristoph Nowak, Stefan Rinnebach, Romy Heiland, Richard Baumgartner
Structural Engineering

Vasko und Partner Ingenieure
M&E Engineering

Vasko und Partner Ingenieure
Façade Engineers

ARUP Deutschland GMBH
Lighting Engineers

Arup Berlin
Fire protection

HHP West, Bielefeld
Site Supervision

Ingenos Gobiet ZT GmbH, IC Consulenten, Ziviltechniker GmbH
Client

University of Economics Vienna
Area

28000.0 m2
Project Year

2013
Photographs

Roland Halbe, Iwan Baan
Manufacturers

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Text description provided by the architects. Architectural Concept

The new Library and Learning Centre rises as a polygonal block from the heart of the new University campus. The interior of the LLC is informed by the external circulation of the masterplan which maps out the different levels of the building. The straight lines of the building’s exterior separate as they move inward, becoming curvilinear and fluid to generate a free-formed interior canyon that serves as the principal public plaza of the centre, as well as generating corridors and bridges ensuring smooth transitions between different levels.

Functional Plan

The aim of the functional plan is to clearly define the different areas of the building. The plan is translated into a three dimensional object which outlines the space around the central atrium, the corridors and the canyons. The main block of the building houses the Service Area, the Learning Centre and the Economics Library, with Student Services and Library Management located in the smaller block.

While the interior edges of the site join together in a flowing free-form, the exterior edges of the building are cut sharply and their alignment contrasts with the site edges specified on the master plan and with the position of the adjacent buildings.

Internal Circulation

From the main entrance of the LLC, visitors can walk directly to the central auditorium which also functions as a large atrium flooded by natural light. A system of ramps leads from the auditorium to the library entrance and the central services on the first floor. The security and locker areas are located on the mezzanine below.

Visitors can access the library and the student management offices via ramps and stairways spiralling upwards from the ground floor. The different areas on the upper levels are connected via platforms, bridges, terraces and galleries.

Façade

The external appearance of the LLC is characterized by two elements of contrasting colours separated by a glass joint: shell and shadow. These different colours facilitate the orientation and understanding of the two primary areas of the building from the exterior.