Research at the highest level
The new Institute of Digital Sciences Austria* is located on a hill on the edge of the Linz basin to the north-east of the city of Linz. The urban design envisages an open construction in the form of diamond-shaped linked block buildings that are anchored in the cityscape as a “green campus” and consciously open up to the adjacent urban space. The ensemble reflects the topography of the site and integrates harmoniously into the landscape. In keeping with the principle of climate-sensitive architecture, the individual buildings are arranged as stringent bands in a linear grid parallel to the wind direction, allowing the downdraught essential for the natural ventilation of the city to flow unhindered.
The site is accessed from two routes, firstly for motorized individual traffic via the new intersection on Altenbergerstraße West in the north, and secondly for train users via the new overpass and connecting bridge to the JKU campus and the associated Science Park 4. The focus here is on an attractive connection to public transport and a minimal impact on individual traffic on campus.
The pedestrian access and circulation between the buildings takes place along the extended main axis of the JKU. As the backbone of the campus, it connects gardens and smaller village squares, which give the location its own identity as places of recreation and communication. Green roofs and facades also contribute to a pleasant microclimate. Within the ensemble, the vegetation concept foresees an identity-forming floral world of regional woods, grasses and flowers that do not have a negative impact on the downdraught. As a contrast to the flowering center, the surrounding area merges in stripes into the trees of the nearby forest to the west.

Honorable Mention

EU-wide, open, two-stage anonymous competition

Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H.

*name has changed meanwhile; now: IT:U (Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria)

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