Housing Joseph-Lister-Gasse 

The new residential development on Joseph-Lister-Gasse is embedded on the sloping plot whose tree population has been preserved. The placement of the buildings generates specific open-space zones on the property. A square accompanied by community spaces in the adjacent building marks the center. Additionally, there is a protected zone for a playground, and separate areas for retreat into the green.

The five buildings designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au in Vienna’s Hietzing district are clear cut, white cubes whereby the facades vary in their configurations. Three different apartment types are organized around the central development. Dynamic and calm facades enliven the building. On the building’s ​“smooth” narrow sides, the different window formats are coordinated with the living spaces behind them. The building’s orientation grants each of the ninety-nine two, three, and four-room apartments diverse views into the greenery, therewith creating an exceptional living quality. The new ensemble develops from ten, roughly twelve-meter-high cubic building components based on very simple ground plan typologies. Different than the previous building’s closed-appearance, the ensemble, precisely set in the terrain, opens up and concentrates on staging and networking the outdoor spaces. The orientation of the buildings grants every apartment a variety of views into the open space, thus creating an exceptional living quality. Since the existing vegetation was at the forefront of this design, it was important to lend the buildings an external simplicity.

The facades are painted with lettering specially designed by Wolf dPrix, which helps to further distinguish the buildings. The two longitudinal facades open up to the landscape with a protruding framework construction with integrated loggias and balconies. To give the five buildings their own identities, on the roofs above the entrance areas are ​“art roof objects.” These sculptures are references to the roof gardens of Le Corbusier, the symbolism of Louis Khan’s buildings, and the art of Erwin Wurm.

The residential structure was furnished with a frame system of prefabricated concrete elements, which was hung in front of the building and into which the loggias and balconies are inserted. This structural layer in front not only differentiates and enlivens the facades, but also extends the living spaces to the outdoors and generates a frame for viewing the surrounding greenery. 



The sketch ​“flying houses” on Joseph-Lister-Gasse

The sketch ​“the flying house” is the extended signature of the architect Wolf dPrix and was specially adapted for the facades of the residential buildings on Joseph-Lister-Gasse. The lines of the ​“flying house” on the facades move with the sun and lend individuality to the five houses. The choice of colors in the sketch is adapted to the position of the sun. Cooler and darker on the north facades, warmer and lighter on the southern ones. Five art roof objects marking the position of the entrances to the individual buildings, provide symbols visible from afar, inviting inhabitants to recognize their houses as something special via the noticeable roof symbols.