Riegler Riewe Architekten

Med campus . Graz

source: architekturwettbewerb . Riegler Riewe Architekten . model photos: Paul Ott

With the greatest possible consideration of urban development requirements, the project implements an ensemble of clearly structured and coherent building bodies. On the one hand, due to its characteristic appearance, it offers the potential for identification within the urban context whilst, on the other hand, an interesting interplay between built areas and free spaces and between public and private use, results from the sophisticated structure of the volumes. 

The most important characteristic of the concept is the integration of work, teaching and leisure rooms in a common site. Openness, accessibility and communication are of paramount importance. The range of uses to be implemented in the context of the project reaches partially beyond the classical concept of a campus, be it with regard to natural sciences and associated requirements for medical research activities or due to members of the public inevitably coming in from the outside. The project responds to these diverse requirements mainly by means of vertical separation of the areas of use. The spacious lecture area will be located on one storey at street level above the existing parking garage on the west side, and on two storeys to the east of the Stiftingbach brook. A pedestrian and bicycle bridge connects the park space surrounded by the buildings on street level, thus also offering a direct connection between the lecture building to the east and public transport to the west. The actual campus level sits on top of the lecture area. The two areas are connected by means of pedestrian and bicycle paths on this level. It not only offers access to shared facilities such as the canteen and café but also creates a horizontal connection and distribution of all functions within the site. In addition, generous open spaces are created on the east and west sides.