LOVE architecture and urbanism

This market is a 3rd generation climate protection store with a gold certification from the ÖGNI (Austrian Green Building Council). In fact, the site produces more energy than the store uses, making it Austria’s first energy self-sufficient supermarket.

Architecturally speaking, the structure consists of a simple folded shell that arches over the triangular-shaped property. The store opens onto the parking lot in all three dimensions, to the front, sideways and upwards, which creates very broad and inviting entry from this direction. On the south side, where the store tapers, a glass façade offers a “front side” to the Floßlendplatz. This reinforces the virtual effect of being drawn in and through the store and makes it appear as an open, bright and friendly market place.

The building envelope itself features slight folds and wrinkles. This creates a different effect from each perspective, and the building thereby achieves a significant dynamic and tension: “like an athlete before jumping.” For the façade, the goal was to create a strong haptic quality with materials that convey the themes of climate protection and naturalness, but also modernity and innovation. The façade consists of galvanized sheet steel and wood. Due to their contrast, the two materials convey the different themes, while also creating additional excitement.

The roof was designed as a fifth façade, with circular, hill-shaped green spaces.

Usable floor space
1.100 m2

Gross floor area
1.500m2

Completion
December 2011

General Planner
LOVE architecture

Photography
Jasmin Schuller