An artistic redevelopment on the outskirts of Vienna

Am schönen Platz is a former office building located in Vienna’s Favoriten district, on a road of historical interest leading to Laxenburg Castle Park. Previously the headquarters of personal care products manufacturer Beiersdorf, it has now been transformed into a modern residential complex that stands out for its aesthetics, sustainability and energy efficiency. The redevelopment was led by a multidisciplinary team consisting of S+B Gruppe AG and C&P Immobilien AG for real estate development, UMA Architektur for the architectural design and Austrian artist André Heller for the landscaping and gardens. “Our goal was to offer future residents a green space in the heart of the beautiful city of Vienna,” explains Wolfdieter Jarisch, CEO of S+B Gruppe AG. “Against the backdrop of widespread soil sealing [due to the growing use of concrete, Editor], our top priority was to create more green space than before and develop a natural area where residents could pause and relax.”

The building is insulated with the Baumit thermal system, which reduced energy demand for both heating and cooling. “For the purposes of energy efficiency, the building is equipped with external shutters and concrete core temperature control,” continues Jarisch. “This enables the entire complex to be heated and cooled efficiently and sustainably. Thanks to the high storage capacity and thermal inertia of concrete, the building remains warm or cool much longer than with conventional systems.”

Energy is supplied via Vienna’s district heating network. The emphasis on sustainability and the desire to integrate the building with its surroundings led the team to choose Marazzi’s Crogiolo Lume porcelain stoneware tiles in the colour green. This collection reinterprets the handcrafted look of antique majolica, recreating it in porcelain stoneware thanks to extensive research into glazes, colours and advanced production techniques. The surfaces are bright and intensely coloured, while the fine balance between precision and imperfection creates an authentic visual and tactile effect. Alongside their aesthetic qualities, these tiles also stand out for their performance. They are frost- and wear-resistant and free from harmful substances, as certified by Greenguard (which states compliance with chemical emission standards) and Declare (which specifies material composition, origin and end of life according to the Living Building Challenge). “Given the spectacular exterior design created by world-renowned artist André Heller, it was important for the building to integrate perfectly into our overall concept. Using green tiles from Marazzi, we created a striking façade that blends naturally with its setting. Our aim was to move beyond the relatively uniform contemporary architecture of the 21st century and create a unique, timeless project.”