Locals in Vienna refer to the area north of the Danube as “Transdanubia.” While it might seem worlds apart from typical urban life, this region is rapidly evolving into a vibrant new community. The Leopold Kohr Straße Primary and Secondary School is situated in Kagran, nestled between a commercial park, nearby residential neighborhoods, and the Ostbahn railway.
This project has become a key urban development anchor in the area. The school features an active front yard, playground, and sports facilities that are also accessible to local residents, enriching the community’s social fabric. A spacious terrace transforms the façade into a vertical garden, offering valuable space for year-round learning and relaxation.
At the heart of the full-time school, two sculptural reflective bridges create a unique central atrium filled with a sense of exploration and dynamism. This central space serves as a communal hub with direct access to outdoor terraces on each floor. On the first floor, students can enjoy views of the school garden through tall interior windows while having lunch or studying in the library.
The buildings are designed with circular layouts to maximize natural light from every direction. Classrooms alternate with open multifunctional spaces, while each building offers generous sheltered outdoor areas with direct terrace access. These spaces provide children with their favorite spots to play and explore.
The ventilation shafts and atrium create visual connections between floors, fostering openness. The terrace is secured with a full-height steel cable net extending from floor to ceiling, which will eventually be covered by climbing wild grapes. The façade is primarily constructed from natural deciduous pine wood, which will weather over time to develop a silver-gray patina.
During breaks, students can quickly access the school garden from the upper levels via wide stairs and slides. Some of the recreational and sports areas remain open during evenings and weekends for public use. The courtyard in front of the school enhances the urban living environment for the entire community. Additionally, the sunken sports halls flanking the entrance are available for external visitors after school hours.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Franz & Sue
Area: 11,551 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: David Schreyer
Suppliers: Bega, Felbermayer, Kosmos, Schrack, Thorn, Trilux, Zumtobel
Design Team: Edin Hadžović, Friederike Dammaß, Anita Bartos, Diana Jarincikova, Leire Azkarate, Thomas Karl, Judith Mayr, Sophie Wiedemann, Johannes Tiefenthaler, Darija Malesevic, Kübra Inal, Jonas Kunzelmann, Ajdin Vukovic
Building Thermal Simulation: Jung
Client: City of Vienna
Structural Engineering: Petz ZT GmbH
Building Physics: IBO
Construction Services: Zencon
Landscape Planning: EGKK
Fire Safety: Hoyer Brandschutz
Main Contractor: Swietelsky AG
Location: Vienna, Austria
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