Eibengasse Neighbourhood Vienna

A living ensemble is taking shape in the Eibengasse neighbourhood that combines social diversity, climate resilience, and long-term usability. The project develops the site as a group of four terraced structures organized into two pairs of twin buildings. Different building typologies, construction methods, and housing formats create a diverse range of housing options tailored to various life situations. Special attention is given to housing for single-parent families, shared spaces and open areas, as well as to a design that reduces overheating in the summer and ensures a high quality of life. Hybrid construction methods, flexible floor plans, and an integrated energy and open-space concept form the foundation for a residential complex that can adapt over the long term.

Four building structures form an ensemble composed of two distinctive pairs of twin buildings. Their staggered heights respond to the surroundings and create a fluid transition between the street, open space, and residential development. While the twin buildings are related to one another in terms of construction, materials, and typology, they each develop their own distinct spatial qualities. The open base zone, green facades, and shared common areas connect the buildings to one another and anchor them in the neighbourhood. The result is a residential complex that is not viewed as a standalone entity, but rather as part of a larger spatial context in which the neighbourhood, open spaces, and everyday life intertwine.

The ground floor area serves as the social hub of the residential complex. Common areas, play facilities, and neighbourhood-oriented amenities are strategically arranged along the pathways, creating spaces for socializing, interaction, and community activities. A playroom, a common room with an attached laundry room, a multipurpose event space, a Repair Café, and a sports club complement the residential offerings with functions that extend beyond the residents’ own apartments. Thanks to their open layout and direct orientation toward the inner courtyard, the common areas are visible and easily accessible. This creates low-barrier meeting places for people of all ages that enliven daily life, foster neighborly relationships, and strengthen community life in the neighbourhood.

The design combines the respective strengths of wood and reinforced concrete construction into a robust and adaptable overall system. Load-bearing cores, columns, and stiffening slabs made of reinforced concrete are combined with cross-laminated timber walls and wood-concrete composite floors. This clear separation of primary and secondary structures creates the conditions for long-term flexibility of use: apartments can be adapted to changing needs, merged, or reorganized without having to alter the load-bearing structure. At the same time, the targeted use of renewable raw materials reduces the consumption of energy-intensive materials. The construction is designed for durability, easy maintenance, and eventual demolition. Detachable connections and modular components facilitate the reuse of materials and support a circular construction approach throughout the building’s entire life cycle.