2017 Austrian national award for architecture and sustainability

The Austrian national award for architecture and sustainability - Staatspreis Architektur und Nachhaltigkeit - is Austria's highest recognition for sustainable building. In its fifth year, an international panel of judges selected the five winning projects and six honourable mentions from 76 submissions.


“Top level architecture and energy efficiency go together perfectly. All the projects nominated make an important contribution to achieving the climate control targets by 2050 and help develop a sustainable architectural culture in Austria.” The federal minister for agriculture, forestry, environment and water management (BMLFUW) used these works when commenting on the award during the prize-giving ceremony held on 4 October.
Five projects were awarded because they show how environmental awareness can be a leitmotif running through all kinds of architecture, from new builds to makeovers, from living to education, from work to culture.
The “neunerhaus” in Vienna by studio pool Architektur ZT offers 79 mini-apartments to the homeless. Despite a tight budget, this passive construction with a lovely green courtyard doesn't forego comfort and beauty, and it gives people the possibility of starting all over again. 
On the other hand, the Edlach primary school in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg was a building from the 1960s, demolished and rebuilt by Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten ZT GmbH who carefully arranged classrooms, community spaces and green zones, in keeping with modern teaching approaches. 
The project by HEIN Architekten in Zwischenwasser, Muntlix, again in Vorarlberg, is a very elegant makeover of the local government offices. This refurbishment has improved their connection with the surroundings as well as overall sustainability with controlled ventilation, night-time cooling and the use of renewable energy sources. 
The office building and “cultural centre” called oh456 in Thalgau, Salzburg, by sps-architekten zt gmbh is a three-level experimental workshop that,  in addition to the creative energy, also makes the most of water and solar power to cover its energy requirements. All with flexible interiors and an innovative look for a really unique and eco-friendly workplace. The Monforthaus in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg - a new municipal location for events designed by HASCHER JEHLE Architektur e mitiska wäger architekten - also convinced the judges because of its environmental performance and its stand-out appearance showcasing reinforced concrete curves and natural stone facade.
Six honourable mentions were awarded in addition to these winners, underscoring the high quality of architecture with a sustainable approach, and demonstrating that beauty and ecology can go hand in hand.

Christiane Bürklein

Austrian national award for architecture and sustainability - Staatspreis Architektur und Nachhaltigkeit
Austria
Year: 2017
Images: Kurt Hörbst
Winners: studio pool Architektur ZT, Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten ZT GmbH, HEIN Architekten, sps-architekten zt gmbh, HASCHER JEHLE Architektur e mitiska wäger architekten
Honourable mentions: ARGE zottele . mallin architekten und Bruno Spagolla, Schenker Salvi Weber Architekten, ATP architekten ingenieure, Berger + Parkkinen Architekten, querkraft architekten, Geiswinkler & Geiswinkler - Architekten ZT GmbH, DornerMatt Architekten
Find out more: https://www.klimaaktiv.at/bauen-sanieren/staatspreis/staatspreis2017/5-vorbildprojekte-mit-staun-ausgezeichnet.html