As already mentioned, the RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1 building sees itself as a gateway to the entire area behind it.
RLB Landesbank Kärnten
Primus inter Pares
The overture to the motif
Year
2022
Venue
Klagenfurt
State
Competition
Category
Mixed
Size
22.670 m²
Year |
Venue |
State |
Category |
Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 |
Klagenfurt |
Competition |
Mixed |
22.670 m² |
Year
2022
Venue
Klagenfurt
State
Competition
Category
Mixed
Size
22.670 m²
The title of the design idea for the ensemble consisting of the buildings Raiffeisenplatz 1 and Ringquartier RLB refers both to the urban planning approach and to the contents of the head building itself:
First of all, we find an existing building, so to speak, the Ringquartier RLB, part of an overall urban design composition from the competition for what was called the Ringquartier KOLLITSCH Wohnwelt. This building has already inscribed the significant morphological parameters, which are for the most part retained. It now forms the link between the project RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1, which is to be newly conceived, and the ensemble lying behind it. At the same time, it plays a duet with Raiffeisenplatz 1 in the sense that the two buildings, which belong together, can be perceived as branded Raiffeisen units.
Urban concept "Primus inter Pares - First among equal"
The building RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1 is clearly designed as an end building, but precisely in such a way that it can be read as a "primus inter pares - first among equals". Its special position therefore requires, on the one hand, the inscription of the basic geometry of the Ringquartier KOLLITSCH Wohnwelt and the Ringquartier RLB, and, on the other hand, the transformation from the site-specific conditions of the gateway situation and the application to the entire quarter. Therefore, in volumetric terms it is shaped to reflect its designated position.
Both the context along St. Veiterring and that of the new urban ensemble to the north are inscribed in the building. First of all, the plinth storeys are clearly oriented as a continuation of the morphology of St. Veiterring, both in the way the building lines are made and in the way the eaves are defined. The lower, wider volume is understood as part of the street lines at this location. As already mentioned, the RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1 building sees itself as a gateway to the entire area behind it.
This floating, protective roof also clearly indicates where one enters the building RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1. At the same time, the portal frame seems to hover like a protective roof over the Stöcklgebäude. This also establishes a relationship between these buildings. The Stöcklgebäude is a listed structure and is more or less an exhibit on the generously dimensioned square, which underlines its historical significance. In the future, it will house smaller shops that can be entered from an internal “lane.”
To employ musical terms, RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1 could be understood as an overture that is modulated to become a main motif.
In terms of function the ground floor and the first floor house the public and semi-public facilities where there is customer contact. Coming from the forecourt, one enters a spacious entrance hall with a void connecting the two levels that indicates that they belong together. A long desk is clearly positioned opposite the entrance. This is where contact is made, information and initial consultation is offered. From here customers are also directed to other areas on these two floors. The upper floor can be reached via a generous spiral staircase or by using the customer lifts.
The depth of the building in the basement storeys is broken up by an atrium courtyard allowing daylight to penetrate the internal areas of these storeys. At the same time, from this atrium you can see into a green, glass-roofed courtyard, which can also be a small retreat at ground floor level or a simple show garden in the manner of Japanese garden design. This courtyard is also intended to contribute to the welcoming atmosphere on these two levels. The offices are laid out from the second floor upwards. They are rationally stacked on top of each other. The classic office axes are arranged in a U-shape around a communication zone that can be flexibly programmed.
This is in turn is oriented towards a special space, a kind of generously proportioned conservatory that takes up almost the entire east façade, giving the entrance to the quarter a special "signature". Here, communication is once again clearly intensified. Terraced lounges and communication spaces on ramp loops meander vertically through this space, as do smaller staircases. The dynamic spatial elements allow a variety of connections between the floors so that the units behind them can be allocated and combined in different ways.
The facades of the two properties RAIFFEISENPLATZ 1 and Ringquartier RLB are designed to be highly efficient. The significant horizontal tectonics allows an interplay of different elements that can be easily programmed: highly insulated, opaque, white – and therefore reflective – bands for the albedo effect, bands with a wooden surface as a legible use of ecological building materials, and dark bands as carefully calculated glass surfaces that allow the elegant integration of PV panels in the facade structure so they do not seem like an afterthought. Only the base storeys are kept as transparent as possible towards the street and square in order to avoid dead, blind façades, and also to ensure the lively interaction of a building of such importance with public space.
Raiffeisen as primus inter pares, an inviting host for togetherness at all levels of interaction.
Architecture
Pichler & Traupmann Architects
Designteam
Bartosz Lewandowski (Team leader)
Jure Kozmus
Merve Özcan
Antonio Planas Portas
Client
Raiffeisen Landesbank Kärnten
Statics
Gmeiner Haferl Zivilingenieure ZT GmbH, Vienna
Building services
Gawaplan Haustechnische Anlagen GmbH, Vienna
Energy certificate | Sustainability concept
Dr. Pfeiler ZT GmbH, Graz
Hard facts
Start of planning: 2022
Usable floor area: 17.361 m²
Gross floor area: 22.670 m²
Location: Klagenfurt
Function: RLB Headquarters, rental offices
Scope: Invited competition for the designer with responsibility for all design services
Renderings
thedigitalbunch.com, PL
Award
1st Successor