Between Waves and Pathways
Hafenportal Linz, Office Building, Linz
With a gross floor area of more than 33,580 m², Hafenportal Linz offers space for offices, restaurants, retail outlets, and service providers. As an integral part of the Hafenpark Linz, it serves as a connecting element between the city center and the port, enhancing the long-term appeal of the location.
A spatial link within the commercial port
The Port of Linz is a significant international economic hub and the largest port on the Upper Danube. As owners of the entire area of the commercial port, the LINZ AG Group wanted to fully exploit the economic potential of the site by constructing an office building that includes retail space. The project required maximum flexibility and the seamless integration of the new building into the visitor infrastructure at various levels.
After winning the competition, we worked in partnership with Hinterwirth Architekten to accompany the project to the approval design stage. Based on an existing master plan, we developed a comprehensively sustainable building which is notable for a plasticity that ensures openness and permeability. A visitor pathway on several levels and a bridge connection to the neighboring buildings integrate the volume into the structure of the Hafenpark in both spatial and functional terms.
Intelligent systems for ecological and economic efficiency
In close collaboration with ATP sustain, we developed an overall concept that highlights both economic and ecological performance. The building’s orientation, form, envelope, solar protection, and green roof all make a passive contribution to the reduction of the energy demand. At the same time, we proposed innovative active building services solutions, ensuring the intelligent exploitation of synergies. Given the year-round demand for cooling, heating, and a high degree of ventilation in buildings of this nature, we used this opportunity to combine an energy exchanger with a highly efficient heat recovery system:
This provides simultaneous heating and cooling as required, partly supported by a heat pump. The proximity to the Danube permits ‘free cooling’ to be used for climate control, while the potential for night ventilation is exploited by the mechanical systems that cool the building during the night.
Katharina Thullner
Energy and Sustainability Expert
ATP sustain
A facade inspired by the moving waves of the Danube
The loadbearing reinforced concrete exterior walls provide an optimal basis for the flexible division of the tenant areas, while also enhancing the structural stability of the building. Externally, attention is drawn to the facade by the white, vertical pilasters of varying widths that envelop the entire structure. The alternating dense and open sections between the pilasters create a wave-like effect.
The Danube itself inspired the design of the facade. At the same time, the nearly column-free construction offers maximum flexibility, enabling a variety of office configurations – from cellular and combination offices to open-plan spaces in varying sizes.
Dario Travaš
Architekt, Partner, Head of Design in Wien und Geschäftsführer in Zagreb und Belgrad
Carved out, divided up, and shaped from a “solid”
Starting with the solid mass defined by the existing master plan, we followed the guiding principle of “designing from the solid.” We ensured that the office spaces benefit from well-lit zones and attractive views by introducing two generous glazed recesses in the seven-story volume: These offer views of the green Danube landscape on one side and glimpses of the distant city center on the other. Retail spaces and restaurants are planned for the ground floor, with offices distributed across the six upper levels. All these functions are connected by three circulation cores that extend from the underground garage to the sixth floor. A further remarkable feature is the division at ground level that allows a dual-track railway to pass through the building on its way from the harbor basin to the connection with the main rail network.
