Architecture of Gasometer City, Vienna

In the city of Vienna emerge four huge gas tanks measuring approximately 70 meters high and 60 meters in diameter. The energy complex has been converted after being in operation from 1896 until 1984, which was abandoned until its reconstruction in 1999.

One of the key characters in the reconstruction was Manfred Wehdorn, an expert in equity, as it was one of the pioneers in re-elect all the old energy system to allow new uses. In 1995 a competition was held and each tank happened to be designed by a different technician, being elected Jean Nouvel [Gasometer A], Coop Himmelblau [Gasometer B], Manfred Wehdorn [Gasometer C] and Wilhelm Holzbauer [Gasometer D].

Each proposal is characterized by the vision of each designer, Jean Nouvel and works through the glass, which is colored in many ways and focuses the original structure of the tank, creating a commercial area of 7,500 m2, 128 housing units and 5,100 m2 of offices. Coop Himmelblau Gasometer B projects with a large auditorium and reinterprets common part of the facade on the interior, creating an area of 4,680 m2 commercial and residential area with 254 housing units and 76 units for students. Wehdorn introduces a large central courtyard garden in addition to 4,700 m2, 5,400 m2 of office space and 92 housing units. Finally, Holzbauer is the only one who rejects the interior common area with a square, providing a plethora of related courtyards application generating spaces, 15,500 m2 for offices and 141 homes.

The work was carried out entirely in 2001 and each tank was distributed in different areas by establishing zoning for homes with apartments on the top offices in intermediate plants and commercial complex on the lower floors and basements. The shopping centers are connected by walkways all tanks. All proposals preserve the exterior brick wall, which had to be recovered largely due to the state it was.

The complex “Gasometer City” in Vienna has developed a new neighborhood in coexistence with the rest of the city and generated active communities in its neighborhood and the Gasometer Community, related to online activities that are currently working with projects of urban planning, journalism or architecture and who drafted the phenomenon who have lived with the formation of his new neighborhood.

As we highlight the main equipment of the tank B auditorium with capacity for 2500 people, a theater, student or a local file. The whole complex is connected by an underground line with the rest of the city.