Linz, November 20, 2023 – Swietelsky presented the plans for the new headquarters at today's meeting of the Linz Advisory Board for Urban Design, with extensive detailed planning regarding sustainability, materials, mobility, and open space planning. The assessment by the board was positive. The next step is the preparation of the building application.
An initial assessment by the design board in early summer gave the green light for the further development of the overall concept of the office tower at Linz Boschweg 1a to 2b. In addition to the Swietelsky project team and Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes with Brian Cody, Kurt Fallast, and the Auböck-Karasz office, leading experts from the fields of energy design, mobility, and open space planning are involved. With this top expertise, a concept was presented that was convincing in all aspects.
Energy-efficient and resource-saving
A key point concerns the sustainability of the new headquarters, which, as a high-rise building, brings specific requirements regarding facade design. Here, the project team developed a solution that harnesses the power of the sun: building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Photovoltaic panels are installed on the entire building envelope, which, in combination with a grid connection, provide the electricity supply for the headquarters. About half of the energy required by the office building is produced solely by the solar panels.
Another innovation planned for the Swietelsky headquarters concerns the thermal use of groundwater. Through a heat pump and heat exchangers, groundwater and shallow geothermal energy can be used either for cooling or as a heat source.
In selecting materials, those with low climate impact were preferred, significantly reducing the building's CO2 footprint. Lifecycle considerations and operating costs were also integrated into the planning with foresight.
With this highly efficient energy concept, the Swietelsky headquarters takes a pioneering role in the office building landscape in Europe and demonstrates that office high-rises can also be planned for the future.
A feel-good factor for employees
Another important focus in the planning of the new headquarters is the well-being of employees. In addition to ensuring adequate daylight supply and optimal room acoustics, a visual connection to the outside was also planned for all workplaces and common areas.
A highlight of the construction project is the generous green space design. The Swietelsky headquarters is to be bordered by a piece of wild nature in the form of a 1,900m² park area – right in the middle of an industrial area. The existing open space will be enhanced by the development of the park. This greenery will be complemented by winter gardens and roof gardens on several levels of the office tower. Through landscape design measures, the microclimate and air quality will also be positively influenced.
After the plans are approved by the Linz Design Board, the next step will be the building application planning.
About Swietelsky AG
Swietelsky is Austria's third-largest construction company and currently employs around 12,000 people in 21 countries. The range of services extends across the entire construction value chain, including railway and tunnel construction. In the 2022/23 financial year, the construction output amounted to 3.58 billion euros. In its home market of Austria, the company generated about 59% of total output, followed by core countries Germany and the Czech Republic with 11% each and Hungary with 7%.
