Ikea breaks the mold with its new building in Vienna

The most famous furniture brand in the world joins the versatility of the spaces with an iconic building, very tasteful, but spectacular.

The ability to adapt to the environment is the main tool to survive. A tool that you have to know how to use and not apply it too late, since a miscalculation can be fatal for our future. The big brands are experts in two things: adapting to the environment and creating the environment, and with the building that we show you this week, I’m not sure which one IKEA uses… Maybe both.

The building is located in Austria, more specifically in its capital, Vienna. Despite not being genius, it is an example of taking advantage of synergies, those that come from environmental concern, added to the inspiration given by the brand, an international company that has created a unique concept of furniture that is practical, versatile and economical. .

The new Ikea in Vienna

So, with these starting conditions, the architects of the Querkraft Architekten studio in Vienna, the same as the Expo 2020 Dubai Pavilion in their country, have created the perfect symbiosis for the brand. Why perfect? First, because it is rooted in the sustainability policies that are so popular. His building is defined as a large shelf, with open spaces on its four facades and, in addition, with a huge green terrace on its roof.

The building does not have parking spaces, something rare in this type of commercial space, but it is still a daring wink with very good press. In addition, they save a little money by not having to excavate excessively, or make retaining walls or ducts for air extraction.

A square building with spaces for fun and leisure

The truth is that the property has no waste. It is a quadrangular volume formed by regular porticos of ten by ten meters, with precast reinforced concrete pillars, supporting metal structures that make up the rest of the space. The facilities are visible, which results in a gain in free space and air volume, of course, great care has been taken with ventilation.

The building has many windows, and carefully treats people, offering them what they like the most: spaces for fun and leisure. Thus, the huge roof terrace is open to the public, with a huge number of huge pots and, best of all, a cafeteria, which should never be missing.

The new Ikea has seven floors connected by stairs

A huge central atrium connects the seven floors of the building by stairs and visually, allowing the interior opening on the intermediate floors. According to the architects, this encourages users to visit other floors, due to the visual connection. To me, not even putting very thick walls would prevent me from browsing, but it is true that it is appreciated.

The building is located next to the Mariahilfer Straße railway station, and its commercial spaces, so it is very easy and very productive to get there. In total, IKEA has planted 160 new trees, of course, this will influence the microclimate of the place, providing natural cooling and humidity, which contributes to reducing the heat island of the Viennese city.

The last two floors house a hotel

In total, the new construction has 21,600 square meters of useful area, in addition, those belonging to the last two floors are a hostel, the Jo&Joe Hostel, with no more and no less than 345 beds, an important typological variety and very good prices . So, if you have to go to Vienna, it’s an interesting place to stay.

Nature lovers will like to know that during the demolition of the building that occupied the site, the company found some nests of swifts and kestrels, so in order not to take away their home, they have hired a specialist to prepare 30 nesting sites. In addition, they are going to locate modern hives in open spaces that are not accessible to the public, which will contribute decisively to the increase in the bee population.

The new concept of Ikea is committed to sustainability

It is important to note two things, the first, that the designer architects were chosen through a contest, which demonstrates the value of this type of event at a private level, not insignificant when companies seek to find the best performance. And the second, that the building has obtained the BREEAM, GREENPASS Platinum and Fairfüralle certificates, the first two international and the last Austrian.

The new IKEA building is very different from what the brand has accustomed us to, no drawer to go around and buy if we want to go out. The building breaks the molds established by the company and offers versatility, areas for enjoyment, food and even art, with areas where artistic activities will be exhibited. In short, a new course to survive and that Viennese citizens and visitors will take advantage of.

*Photos courtesy of Hertha Hurnaus.