Voestalpine AG
Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes

Photo: Josef Pausch

The Voest steelworks recently completed its new, representative sales and finances head office in Linz.

The project outlines a wasteland area to the north of the company headquarters, in what is called the "non-core zone," creating an expansive, yet clearly bordered open space that extends to the visitors centre in the south. The green fields cover the one story parking deck.

The dynamically curved new building, and the existing "Blue Tower," form the entry way to the voestalpine plant.


Photo: Josef Pausch

The main entrance, at the north-eastern end of the new building, is situated below a daring cantilever that exploits steel's structural possibilities.

The gentle slope under the cantilever leads into a spacious glass enclosed lobby which overlooks the impressive landscape of cranes, waste heaps, and chimneys. The ground floor is dedicated to services for all employees, shops, travel agency, library.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

The gentle slope under the cantilever leads into a spacious glass enclosed lobby which overlooks the impressive landscape of cranes, waste heaps, and chimneys. The ground floor is dedicated to services for all employees, shops, travel agency, library.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

A conference area, directly accessible by a lift from the lobby, is located on the upper floor. A large wooden deck offers expansive views over the industrial site.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Transversally the building is divided in 3 zones: Individual offices are situated close to the facades. A central zone serves for meetings, provides space for team work, including copy facilities and small coffee areas. Inner atriums, enclosed by glass roofs, are open to all stories. The atriums provide natural light, and ventilation, for the inner zones and divide the building into sections. The color scheme of gentle shades of grey are complemented by the light brown of the wooden floors and by the strong primary colors in the area of the tea kitchens.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

The relatively narrow subdivision of the facade into full-height opening steel panels and fixed glass elements, also full-height, allows different size offices to be made in accordance with the different requirements. Sliding shade elements of frameless expanded metal on the outside face of the facade and the textile glare protection on the inside ensure agreeable lighting conditions.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

The ground floor of the Blue Tower has been renovated and a large glass canopy added above the entrance area, its steel structure anchored in the structure of the tower.


Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Photo: Josef Pausch

Linz does not owe its reputation as a location of industry solely to "the Voest", as this business is known in Upper Austria, but the perception of the city is closely linked with the steel company. Therefore there is in "the Voest" an awareness of the responsibility that this brings with it.


Drawing courtesy Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes
Site Plan


Drawing courtesy Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes
Plan


Drawing courtesy Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes
Section


Drawing courtesy Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes
Climate Chart


Model courtesy Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes