Extension building complex Karl-Kysela-Hof, Vienna

Residential construction in Vienna steadily grew in the 1960s, culminating in the housing boom of the 1970s. The planned construction of underground railways and the development of peripheral areas north of the Danube contributed to this trend. On the southern and eastern outskirts in particular, land was available at low prices, and large new residential quarters were built there. Modern prefabricated construction methods using precast concrete elements made it possible to build entire new urban neighbourhoods in a short time. The dense perimeter block developments typical of the 16th district break up increasingly towards the district’s edges. From the 1960s onwards in particular, architects and urban planners promoted more loosely spaced linear housing developments for residential construction, which is also the style of the housing complex Karl-Kysela-Hof. Building density is achieved by means of high slab blocks, leaving enough room for green spaces.

Wohnhausanlage Karl-Kysela-Hof

Der Karl-Kysela-Hof, errichtet in den Jahren 1967 – 1969, besteht aus zwei neungeschoßigen Wohnhäusern mit je vier Stiegen, die parallel zueinander angeordnet und von großzügigen Grünräumen umgeben sind. Die 24 Fensterachsen langen, der Straße zugewandten Fassaden sind mit farbigen Putzstreifen horizontal betont. Sie werden von je vier Stiegenhaustürmen mit auffälligen, den neun Geschoßen entsprechenden Putzfeldern in fünf Abschnitte unterteilt. An den Schmalseiten ragt je eine Reihe Balkone aus, je drei Doppelbalkonreihen befinden sich, von einer über alle Geschoße durchgehenden Betonmauer getrennt und etwas zurückversetzt, an den Hoffassaden. Die Wohnscheiben sind mit einem Giebeldach versehen, ein einfaches Dachgesims kragt an den Längsseiten weit aus. In der etwas tiefer liegenden, grau gestrichenen Erdgeschoßzone an der Thaliastraße sind Geschäftslokale untergebracht, die hofseitig über eine schmale Fensterreihe verfügen. Das zweite Wohnhaus hat analog dazu ein grau verputztes Erdgeschoß. In der Gartenanlage des Gemeindebaus steht eine Marmorplastik von Franz Anton Coufal. Die 1970 gestaltete Skulptur "Flammender Turm" stammt aus dem Zyklus "Krieg und Harmonie der Elemente".

Design project proHolz Student Trophy

On the northern edge of the complex, there is a car park with a total area of around 1,830m2 and 87 aboveground parking spaces (of which 54 are required parking spaces according to consensus documents dating from the year 1967). The aim of the design project is to design a new building for this site and to develop an appropriate land use proposal.

Design specifications

The aim is to design a building that provides mainly housing space, but also common areas and commercial spaces. While the design can be freely developed for the most part, there are some specifications that must be taken into account.

_ Mix of flats
The design project must provide for an essentially high utilisation factor, and the ratio between GFA and NFA should be no lower than 0.65 – 0.75.

The design must permit the following mix of flats

Type, ideal flat size, share of new flats
Type A (1 room) 36-38m² 20%
Type B (2 rooms) 45-50 m² 20%
Type C (3 rooms) 70-80 m² 30%
Type D (4 rooms) 85-95 m² 25% -max. 30%
Type E (5 rooms) 100-120 m² max. 5%

_ Open-air spaces
Each residential unit must be planned with a corresponding open-air space, with a minimum width of no less than 1.80m (2.20m would be ideal).

_ Commercial spaces
Commercial spaces are generally welcome. However, they should only be planned for the ground-level zone and only if they make sense. Their use must be adapted to the needs of the immediate neighbourhood.

_ Common areas
The common areas and community facilities should have a positive impact on the social cohesion, mix and inclusion of both the building occupants and the general public. The design must therefore provide for sufficient common areas (which may also be located in open-air spaces).
In addition, planning must include a common laundry room. Its size must be commensurate with the number of flats. For each unit, an additional storeroom outside the flat must be provided.

_ Parking spaces
Both the existing parking space requirements and the parking needs resulting from the new building must be accommodated on the property. If an underground car park is planned, access must be ensured by ramps and not by means of car parking lifts. In addition, about 5% of the parking spaces must be accessible to persons with disabilities.

_ Energy requirements
The aim is to construct the building as a zero energy house; the design must be developed accordingly. Moreover, category A (nearly zero-energy building) under the applicable Austrian standard ÖNORM H 5055 on energy certification of buildings must be achieved as a minimum requirement.

_ Green façade
At least 25% of the street frontage must be planted with vegetation. On the courtyard side, green cover is also welcome, but not required. With a view to efficient maintenance, ground-based and easily accessible systems are preferable. Vegetation that is only accessible through individual flats should be avoided.