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Even back in the days of the Austrian monarchy Vienna’s 10th district used to be a working-class neighborhood. Numerous factories have settled here since the 1850s and attracted many people to the area. It is also an attractive place to live due to its central location with low rents and has always been a popular place to live among migrants. After World War II, much-needed workers flocked to Austria via special agreements, and many of them settled in Favoriten. Many Viennese left Favoriten over the decades and the district was increasingly labeled as a "problem district. The idea was through high-quality buildings that strive for a social mix, the area has once again become attractive as a place to live for other segments of the population.
The project is located in Viennas 10th district, a former problem area that is now becoming an increasingly popular place to live. Due to efforts of the City of Vienna a positive change has already taken place to which architecture also made an important contribution. It was important to us to further contribute to this social mixing with our project "Favorite Spring" which is located near the main train station in the northern part of Favoriten. Thus, in the addition of the top floor, emphasis was placed not only on luxurious penthouse apartments, but also on renovating the core of the entire building and making the visual design concept tangible throughout the building.
The form and structure pick up the neighboring buildings and establish a continuous line in terms of urban planning.
The cubature is clad with an air-permeable grid and the apartments offer two-sided orientation, allowing cross-ventilation similar to a historical wind tower. A lot of cooling greenery run throughout the building. Not only the attic windows were equipped with modern sun screens, but also all windows on the existing floors received a discreetly hidden external protection against the intense southwest sun. By increasing the usable floor space, it became possible to redensify within the city and deliver urgently needed living space. This project also stands out in terms of sustainability, as the core renovation and connection to the district heating network means that the building runs on ultra-low energy requirements. An additional cooling effect was achieved by greening the flat roofs.
An important core theme was to incorporate the green space, which is in close proximity of the property, into the project. However, only one side of the corner building faced the green space, which is why the attic extension was turned towards the park and the sun. This allows for views of the greenery and more natural daylight from every apartment on the top floors. The cubature is clad with an air-permeable lattice - this design element, along with plenty of cooling greenery - runs throughout the building. The attic windows were fitted with modern solar shading, and all windows on the standard floor were also equipped with external protection against the intense southwest sun. The usable floor space was increased many times over and urgently needed living space was created through redensification within the city. As a small detail for the residents, the desolate fire wall of a neighboring house was renovated and designed. This architectural contribution to Viennese residential culture sets new standards both visually and ecologically.
Our concession made it possible to not only focus on costs but also on high-quality architecture. This is the only way to achieve a social mix that revitalizes the district and prevents problematic hotspots. In our opinion, architecture is an important tool that influences the development of cities on the long run. Feedback from the residents of the neighborhood was that German can now be heard on the streets again and is becoming a part of a colorful mixture of diverse cultures.
Armin Mohsen Daneshgar was born in Iran in1968. He earned his master's and PhD degrees in architecture from Vienna University of Technology in 1999 and 2002, respectively. While studying, he became a lecturer in architecture. In 2002, he opened his office "Daneshgar Architects". Participation in international competitions led him from Munich and Berlin to London and Stockholm, where he was actually able to realize projects. Armin Mohsen Daneshgar is an architect at heart. Architecture is not his profession, but his life, as he himself says. Despite all the difficulties he has had to face, he has never lost his optimism. He doesn't see himself as an optimist at all. Rather, it is his profession from which he draws strength.
Today is Daneshgar Architects an international architectural firm focused on creating high quality space with unique design. Many projects deal with the urgent need for redensification in the inner city as well as social aspects of architecture.
