Urban Green Hub
European Patent Office in Vienna
Comprehensive refurbishment: The European Patent Office in Vienna, which was originally built in 1972, is being transformed into a climate-positive building with the highest certification currently available, BREEM AT EXCELLENT: all red emissions are being eliminated and the gray emissions compensated across the lifecycle of the building.
The European Patent Office in Vienna is being transformed into a state-of-the-art “Green Hub” with the highest requirements for sustainability, saving resources, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, it is highly circular and characterised by the use of recycled materials. After winning a competition, we were commissioned with the comprehensive refurbishment and transformation of the complex into a CO2-neutral and green office building. The central idea behind our design is to draw the natural surroundings deep into the building. A three-story winter garden with “floral sculptures” and hanging gardens will become the green heart of the building and improve its microclimate sustainably.
The idea of a CO₂-neutral, high-quality refurbishment was developed by our experts in a BIM-supported world of work. The European Patent Office will be a ‘best-practice example’ for the sustainable refurbishment of existing buildings.
Horst Reiner
Partner and Managing Director in Vienna
BREEAM AT Excellent
Our building services concept aims to create a climate-positive building that is awarded BREEAM AT Excellent certification. The different energy flows are interconnected to ensure energy recycling with heat sinks and sources. In addition to this, the building makes use of geothermal power. Any additional energy required is provided by a PV system integrated into the facade and installed on the roof with internal storage. As a result, all red emissions are eliminated and the building becomes a carbon sink, whose gray emissions are compensated throughout its entire lifecycle.
Bringing nature into the interior
A key design element is the generously planted new atrium and winter garden which rises through all levels of the building. The continuous glass facade and glass roof ensure that the atrium also draws daylight deep into the basement.
Iconographic, sculptural plants create an excellent interior climate: A wide range of species grow from clay pots, creating a rhythmic game of climbing and falling floral sculptures. On the facade facing the Botanical Gardens the connecting stair becomes a green oasis with vertical gardens that line the balustrades, creating the impression of a green waterfall that flows towards a collecting basin.
