New life at Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof: Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) and Josef Weichenberger Architects (JWA) transformed the terminus station and the office building above it under the name Francis from an impassable barrier in the centre of the district into a transparently permeable centrepiece of the new Althan Quartier.

The decisive factor in the decision to convert, i.e. to demolish, redevelop and add storeys, was the significant impact on the ecological balance of the project. This meant that considerable amounts of CO2 could be saved.

From a split neighbourhood to casual transparency

With Francis and the Althan Quartier around Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof (Franz-Josef-Station), a new urban and also connecting quarter is being established in Vienna‘s ninth district.

New thoroughfares form a bridge between the Spittelau and Lichtental districts, which were long separated by the railway tracks of the terminus station and the previously inaccessible former Bank Austria building. The 2.4-hectare site of the Althan Quartier now serves as a central connecting element in the district. This means that one of the main objectives of the conversion has been achieved: a better quality of stay and life for the neighbourhood.

Conversion or the beauty of chances

The project illustrates the potential for urban development and the environment that lies in the transformation of existing buildings. Particularly in times of land and resource scarcity, the preservation and further development of valuable existing structures is worthwhile.

As a large proportion of the so-called grey emissions are bound up in the steel and concrete supporting structure, conversion in the case of Francis means enormous ecological benefits: instead of 27,595 tonnes of CO2 for demolition and new construction, the value for conversion is 8,970 tonnes of CO2 - a saving of 67 percent. According to the results of a study by sustainability expert, architect and civil engineer Werner Sobek, 122,480 tonnes of concrete and 10,944 tonnes of steel were saved, which is groundbreaking regarding the shortage of raw materials and climate change.

In addition, the quality of life of local residents was maintained during the renovation - an estimated 10,000 lorry journeys were avoided by not demolishing and rebuilding the existing. Necessary dismantling work, removal and recycling were carried out inside the building and in the underground loading yard, minimising dust, noise and construction site traffic.

Ground Floor Plan

Floor Plan Level 01

Floor Plan Level 02

Standard Floor Plan

Schematic section