10/2022

NARTURE – Ecolopes sculpture Museum Wienerberg

To what extent can nature and architecture be brought into symbiotic harmony and what design and technical framework must architecture offer for this symbiosis? Which new design tasks result from the symbiosis of nature and architecture? What benefits can be derived from the fusion of nature and architecture?

Livia Dirnböck

Diploma in Architecture

E259-1 – Digitale Architektur

Supervisor: Michael Hensel

Entrance situation of the four buildings on the museum deck

The construction and building industries emit almost 40% of global CO2 emissions (1). This entails a great new challenge for architects worldwide. The ecolope’s (2) research approach tries to counteract the increasing densification of cities, thus preventing negative effects on the environment. The main focus is placed on the building envelope, which, in addition to the architectural tasks related to the design of a museum, should also provide habitats for different species and thereby address the needs of humans, animals, plants and microbiota.

The thesis proposes a speculative project situated in the nature reserve Wienerberg. The design of the project specifically addresses deficits in the area and provides architectural solutions. It is important to minimise interventions in the existing structures, taking local conditions and requirements into account. The project’s spatial organisation is based on an analysis of the perimeter of the site. The building, which is placed on wooden pillars, adopts the organic outline of the existing pond and tree stands. The walls, green roof, as well as large-scale platforms, provide a habitat for animals, plants, and micro-organisms.

The project is a sculpture museum for contemporary art and art of the 20th century that closes a gap in Vienna’s existing range of museums. The transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces create a unique exhibition experience, where the works of national and international artists get in close context with the natural surroundings. The connection of the building with nature is intended to strengthen people’s awareness of the natural environment.

References:
(1) 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, 2020, S. 4.
(2) H2020 FET Open Forschungsprojekt Ecolopes, www.ecolopes.net.

The construction and building industries emit almost 40% of global CO2 emissions (1). This entails a great new challenge for architects worldwide. The ecolope’s (2) research approach tries to counteract the increasing densification of cities, thus preventing negative effects on the environment. The main focus is placed on the building envelope, which, in addition to the architectural tasks related to the design of a museum, should also provide habitats for different species and thereby address the needs of humans, animals, plants and microbiota.

The thesis proposes a speculative project situated in the nature reserve Wienerberg. The design of the project specifically addresses deficits in the area and provides architectural solutions. It is important to minimise interventions in the existing structures, taking local conditions and requirements into account. The project’s spatial organisation is based on an analysis of the perimeter of the site. The building, which is placed on wooden pillars, adopts the organic outline of the existing pond and tree stands. The walls, green roof, as well as large-scale platforms, provide a habitat for animals, plants, and micro-organisms.