A new ensemble at the west of the Tabakfabrik
With the Tabakfabrik complex designed by Peter Behrens, Linz has a unique and architecturally very important example of an industrial facility in the New Objectivity style. The “NeuBau3” project reacts to the specific location of the Tabakfabrik, which is a listed building, by setting the following goals:
– Development of a prominent street front
– Provision of numerous routes through the interior courtyard along with the creation of a high quality connection to the underground rail station
– The creation of a particular spatial environment in the sense of an activity centre in the interior courtyard of the Tabakfabrik
– The design of a sensitive interface with the listed Behrens buildings
– Development of a silhouette that will be a welcome addition to the city skyline
Porous block edge – high permeability of the Tabakfabrik site
To the west, toward Gruberstraße, the development will remain permeable to create an entranceway to the Tabakfabrik site. A clearly defined edge will be created at the surrounding streets by developing individual structures that all rise from a shared base, while the required porosity is achieved at the edge of the block. The openings between the structures allow the activity within the site to “radiate out”.
Public use and attractiveness on two levels – Peter-Behrens-Platz and “Behrensband”
The courtyard functions as a well connected events space in the open air. The courtyard will be connected by steps and a ramp to the roof of the base structure, the “Behrensband”. The roof area creates a valuable public space where many different activities can happen, where there are interesting places to spend time, and where eating, drinking, and other activities can be located. This will create a lively and attractive exterior space on two levels.
Busy silhouette with a new landmark for Linz Tabakfabrik
The architectural importance of the Behrens buildings will not be impacted by the low buildings. The height of the buildings gradually increases to the north-west, reaching its highest point at the corner of Gruberstraße / Donaulände with an 81 metre tall tower, which will be a clearly visible landmark for the entire Tabakfabrik site.
Urban base structure
The two base levels provide floor space that allows intense public use and therefore creates a lively atmosphere across the entire site and surrounding area. This will be the location for shops, boutiques, pop-up stores, co-working cafes, studios as well as semi-public areas for education and study.
Variety of uses brings vitality to the site
The proposed concept for use of the site envisions situating student accommodation of approx. 200 apartments. An 81 metre high building is situated at the corner of Gruberstraße / Untere Donaulände, where the lower floor is used for a budget hotel with 140 rooms. The upper roof creates a publicly accessible restaurant with sky bar and view over the Tabakfabrik site and Linz. The structure that is oriented toward Donaulände is home to retail space on the ground floor. The courtyard will provide access to space created for a school and a kindergarten.
Priority for pedestrians and public transportation
Cars will be left in the approx. 600 spaces of the two-floor subterranean parking. The connection to the future underground rail station will take the form of a generous ramp and steps, which provides access and also serves as a place to sit and spend time. The connection with the existing structures is at Ludlgasse. This will be the site for the “Behrensband” and will create an attractive exterior space on the roof of the base structure at the same height as Level 01.
Peter-Behrens-Platz as attractive public urban space
Uniform paving will unify the individual subdivisions of the site. The open space will connect the new to the old, creating an attractive public urban space. Numerous different attractive areas invite people to spend time and improve the open-air space. Steps for seating along routes compensate for differences in height and also become urban seating and meeting places. Atmospheric areas of grass and shrubs accentuate the different subdivisions of the space and the different beds of plants offer attractive views throughout the year. Source by Zechner & Zechner.
- Location: Linz, Austria
- Architect: Zechner & Zechner
- Project management: Martin Zechner/Marcel Grabher
- Open space planning: Korbwurf/Korbinian Lechner, Vienna
- Development / Investor: Bodner Bau GesmbH & Co KG, Kufstein
- Year: 2018
- Images: Courtesy of Zechner & Zechner