There were more than 40 submissions in the architecture competition for the new digital university, which is to be built near the JKU. Today the winning project was presented, which goes back to the Viennese architectural firm Mitterer Architekten ZT GmbH.
It is planned to build three curved buildings – mainly made of wood – on the 5.4 hectare area near the JKU; the maximum four-story building parts will be connected by green pergolas. 2.5 hectares of the property will remain undeveloped; trees are planned to be planted here. Photovoltaics and geothermal energy are just as important an issue as the construction of 400 bicycle parking spaces. The size of the car parking spaces that need to be built has not yet been determined, it was said at today’s presentation. The plan is to build a parking garage (this cannot be seen on the model).
More on the topic: Stefanie Lindstaedt: “You can talk a lot, but in the end it’s what you achieve that counts”
University Quarter Master Plan: Up to 10 hectares of rezoning are under discussion
Construction is scheduled to start at the end of 2025 and the project, which will be implemented in stages, should be completed by 2036 at the latest. When completed, 35,000 square meters of net usable space will be available, providing space for around 3,000 students and employees.
The location of the IT:U is – as repeatedly reported – controversial, the area is currently undeveloped and rezoning is necessary. Hans-Peter Weiss from the Federal Real Estate Company emphasized that a “modern and climate-friendly” campus would be built and that land consumption would be kept as low as possible through the planned greenery. The development will only have a minor impact on the flow of cold air.
Bild: Hinterramskogler
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Bild: Hinterramskogler
Mayor Klaus Luger (SP) also supports the location (“synergies with the JKU can be optimally used here”), and a majority for the rezoning in the local council is considered certain with votes from the SPÖ and ÖVP. With the master plan for the university district currently being developed, further rezoning in the vicinity of the JKU is being discussed; this plan defines potential rezoning areas, primarily for the settlement of companies.
For IT:U founding president Stefanie Lindstaedt, the selection of the winning project represents another important step; the open design with flexible laboratories and meeting areas takes into account the interdisciplinary demands of the digital university. At least one IT:U doctoral program is scheduled to start in the fall, and up to three might be offered. The first master’s program is scheduled to start in the winter semester of 2025/26. The first ten professors are expected to be appointed in the fall; there were almost 400 applications for the positions.
