Kronaus Mitterer Architekten

Office and Laboratory Building for the Austrian Institute of Technology

The present proposal for an office and laboratory building for the Austrian Institute of Technology aims to create a building that optimally responds to the needs of its users while symbiotically integrating the surrounding existing buildings. At the same time, the design considers different potentials for future extensions and adaptations. This approach ensures optimal use in the first construction phase without restricting future development possibilities.

These development and expansion potentials concern both a second construction phase, possible connections to the existing academy building, and the option of constructing a new academy wing should the current structure be demolished in the future.

The new office and laboratory building is located to the west of the existing buildings, the academy (CH) and the head building (CI). It is conceived as a three-storey office and laboratory building without a basement, taking economic considerations into account, and connects to the existing head building (CI) on all three levels. A robust structural system is proposed that allows a high degree of flexibility in use. The building is therefore designed as a finger-plan layout with a central circulation spine, providing clear orientation and overview while enabling effective security and access control.

In terms of location and orientation, the aim is to position the main entrance as centrally as possible in relation to the entire campus while also ensuring easy future expansion towards the south. Accordingly, the building is accessed from Industriestraße in the north via the main entrance. Visitor parking is arranged next to the entrance. From the entrance, the main circulation spine extends southwards, connecting all wings as well as the existing head building (CI), and can be extended further to the south in a second construction phase. In this way, the integration of the second development phase is already considered in the first construction phase as a logical continuation of the basic system.

The ground floor of the first construction phase is designed as a “base” accommodating all required storage areas as well as meeting rooms. Above this are double-loaded corridor floors with a central corridor and integrated communication zones. These are connected to the central north–south circulation spine. By connecting the short side of each wing to the main circulation axis, the wings can be efficiently divided into security zones that can be easily separated when required.