MVRDV to Construct Twisting “Hourglass-Shaped” Tower Near Vienna's Famous Gasometers

MVRDV has been announced as winner of a two-stage, BAI-backed competition for a new “spatially-flexible” tower with a twisting “hourglass figure” near Vienna’s world famous Gasometers. The 110-meter “Turm mit Taille” (Tower with Waist) was shaped to minimize the effect of the building’s shadow cast onto neighboring buildings and an adjacent metro station.

MVRDV to Construct Twisting “Hourglass-Shaped” Tower Near Vienna's Famous Gasometers - More Images+ 5

© MVRDV

“The site for the tower is directly adjacent to a metro station, and building regulations initially restricted allowable construction to a 75-meter-high volume, which should be trapezoidal in plan,” stated Rotterdam-based practice in a press release. “MVRDV proposed a more compact and efficient square layout, which resulted in a taller volume to make up for the reduced footprint. The solution was to parametrically shape the lower 10 floors of the building into a twist, to minimize the structure’s shadow cast onto the neighboring facades to only two hours a day.”

© MVRDV

“Through this operation, an elegant, hourglass figure emerged that responds to its surroundings by opening up views towards the Gasometers and the rest of the city. The design for the plaza around the tower becomes like a gigantic sundial, on which the shadow of the building delineates the passing of time.”

Housing. Image © MVRDV

The building will provide 35,680-square-meters of flexible space which can accommodate both offices and housing, as well as retail spaces, restaurants, cafes and parking.

Construction envisioned to start in 2016.

Office. Image © MVRDV
  • Competition

    Turm mit Taille Competition
  • Award

    First Prize
  • Architects

  • Location

    Gasometers of Vienna, Guglgasse 6, 1110 Wien, Austria
  • Structural Engineer

    Bollinger + Grohmann
  • Sustainability Consultant

    Energy Design Cody
  • Area

    35680.0 sqm
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

    MVRDV
  • Competition

    Turm mit Taille Competition
  • Award

    First Prize
  • Location

    Gasometers of Vienna, Guglgasse 6, 1110 Wien, Austria
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of MVRDV
  • Area

    35680.0 m2

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Project location

Address:Gasometers of Vienna, Guglgasse 6, 1110 Wien, Austria

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

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Cite: Karissa Rosenfield. "MVRDV to Construct Twisting “Hourglass-Shaped” Tower Near Vienna's Famous Gasometers" 22 Jan 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/590781/mvrdv-to-construct-twisting-hourglass-shaped-tower-near-vienna-s-famous-gasometers> ISSN 0719-8884

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