Expert Review Procedure Donaumarina Tower

Last summer, the developer BAI launched a competition for the design of the Donaumarina Tower. Ten of the world’s largest architecture practices were invited to design a new landmark office building in Vienna’s Donaumarina district. Powerhouse Company, in collaboration with Stadt:Labor – Architekten, created a vision for the 21st-century office – an office building intended to attract the world’s leading companies. Powerhouse Company came second in the competition alongside UN Studio and Foster+Partners; it was won by Dominique Perrault Architects. Other participants included Zaha Hadid Architects, Snøhetta and MVRDV.
Office typology as a catalyst for urban and cultural change
Powerhouse Company’s vision for the 21st-century office comprises a workplace for future growth and evolving business needs, with a multi-purpose plaza where one can immerse oneself in culture, relax in nature and connect with the heartbeat of city life. Offices become hybrid spaces in which the boundary between public and corporate, commercial and non-commercial disappears. Sustainable in energy consumption and flexible for future purposes, while promoting entirely soft mobility.

Introducing the tower
The innovative design accommodates a wide range of functions in a rational and seamless way. The ground floor, where the street leads into the lobby, creates a welcoming public entrance. On the 11th floor, hovering just above the neighbouring buildings, the architects designed a sky garden with a large public terrace giving access to facilities such as a gym, library, conference rooms and a restaurant with panoramic views of the Danube.

Eyeline and skyline
Iconic towers should excel on two levels: “eyeline and skyline”. As regards the skyline, Powerhouse Company’s design was based on complementing the urban context. Conventionally placed at the top, as on the neighbouring building, the crown of this tower is placed at ground level, allowing it to connect with the public realm. With this inverted architectural gesture, the building establishes a clear relationship with its surroundings. The horizontality of the façade creates office spaces with panoramic views. The designers succeeded in resolving technical issues within the horizontal bands, such as solar panels, passive shading and ventilation behind porous aluminium foam panels. This greatly reduced energy demand while at the same time minimising the detailing of the glazing to ensure unobstructed views. The shifted floors at ground level and on the 11th floor create terraces and double-height spaces that offer a unique spatial experience. The result is a clear and iconic gesture reminiscent of nautical architecture and the long lines of the Danube. Seen from the eyeline, the tower presents itself as an open and generous building that lends quality to the city and invites its users into its spaces.

Optimised efficiency, maximum flexibility
The design grew out of the idea of maximising the building envelope and creating efficient standard office floors. This offers the opportunity to add outstanding public spaces and an abundance of greenery. By creating soft corners on the north-west and north-east sides of the building, the design optimises the sunlight conditions for the neighbouring tower. The core design was studied extensively for maximum comfort, efficiency and flexibility. This makes it possible to accommodate up to 4 tenants per floor. The building’s structural layout allows for future transformations, such as hotel or residential use.

Iconic appearance
The architectural façade design owes its unique appearance to the aluminium foam used as its base material and creates an economical ratio between transparent and closed façade areas. The horizontal bands have varying overhangs on all sides, ensuring maximum reduction of direct solar radiation and maximum panoramic views. At the same time, technical aspects such as ventilation, solar cells and lighting are resolved within the bands to ensure minimal detailing of the glazed part and thus optimise unobstructed views. With the design of the Donaumarina Tower, Powerhouse Company sets a new standard for the future of office space. It embodies the idea of a meaningful, enriching and humane space for its users, the city and the planet.