HOS House of Schools 1

As the first part of an ensemble that can be realized in three construction phases, HOS clearly structures the campus in the south, creating an attractive courtyard situation in the north. It continues the existing development axis and creates orientation and a clear structure. The compact arrangement of the building provides space for future expansions to the west.

In addition to the development of the JKU campus in the south as well as creating traditional office and meeting rooms, the competition brief emphasized the importance of new ways of working, in the sense of facilitating exchange and communication. The organizational units of the business school should have the opportunity to network and cooperate with each other. Thus, a light-flooded atrium with a diverse range of meeting places was at the heart of the design from the beginning. Science and research thrive on innovation, which in turn is driven by communication. The atrium offers various zones to work and study and invites people to exchange ideas and spontaneously interact with each other.

The building has a compact, simple shape with a small surface area and a clear supporting structure based on a reinforced concrete skeleton, which allows flexible use of space thanks to a column grid of 10x10, creating space for rooms of various sizes. When selecting the materials, attention was paid to durability and minimalism. The building's facade has two levels: a warm shell consisting of an anodized aluminum post-and-beam construction with 60% glass and a simple white steel structure in front. The two-layer building envelope and light colors create a lively interplay of light and shadow, giving the facade depth. The building's energy and building services concept focuses on the use of renewable energies such as photovoltaics and geothermal energy. Intelligent building technology, automated sun protection, geothermal heat pumps, concrete core activation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery ensure sustainable use.