SPECIAL MENTION

FELDSTADT AM HEIDJOECHL

Project Description by Team: Vienna is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, a fact that is especially apparent in the surroundings of the project site with multiple ongoing large-scale developments. This urban growth sparked societal protest concerning the loss of farmland and the construction of a new highway (‘Stadtstrasse’) in direct adjacency to the site. Although Vienna is well known for its unparalleled social housing model, it needs yet to address the demands posed by the climate crisis. Feldstadt Heidjöchl therefore proposes an urban model that takes climate protection through soil management, bio-based building construction, and climate adaptation equally into account. By preserving large areas of agricultural land, the project offers its inhabitants to play a part in their own food supply. Living next to the field, the new district empowers the local community to take an active role in confronting the climate challenges of today.

Jury Statement: "The project extensively addresses the various components that constitute a climate-resilient neighborhood. It takes a stance on building structure, architecture, construction methods, mobility, open spaces, and more. The overarching theme revolves around resolving the inherent contradiction between land and construction. This topic is comprehensively explored, including a temporal perspective, extending to the restoration of the soil.
The continuous green corridor in which the schools are embedded is noteworthy, featuring diverse zones ranging from recreational spaces to agriculture. These zones are all linked to each phase of construction. The design employs linear structures arranged in varying configurations, with buildings extending from east to west. Through subtle shifts and adjustments, a dynamic arrangement of structures is created from what is essentially a rigid system. These adjustments also generate varied qualities of open spaces.[...]"

Team Statement: "We believe that the climate crisis requires a fundamental rethought of how buildings and cities are built today. Feldstadt am Heidjöchl addresses the prerequisites for sustainable construction already on an urban level and offers its inhabitants to become active agents of change. Our design principles are rooted in the preservation of permeable soil and agricultural land, a carefully crafted hierarchy of public spaces, urban climate considerations, and the use of bio-based materials."