Straußengasse 14, For decades, an unusual vacant lot in the Straußengasse shaped the cityscape of Vienna. The challenge was to find a suitable solution for the immense pressure of urban densification while appropriately considering the existing structure.
© Hertha Hurnaus
feld72 developed a building that respectfully envelops the halftimbered house, closing the gap with elegant ease. As a result, the half-timbered house appears to stand alone in the street, creating a striking address. The typology of the productive townhouse, with a commercially used ground floor and studios in the courtyard wing, is adopted.
© Hertha Hurnaus
The design focus is on the delicate façade of the new building, which features industrial accents referencing the existing structure. This façade conveys a sense of lightness and elegance. The added value of the buffer zone in front of the building encourages spatial appropriation and allows the residents to individually manage light, climate conditions, and visual permeability.
Project Info
Architects: feld72
Country: Austria, Vienna
Area: 2349 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Hertha Hurnaus
Collaborators: Michael Adams, Theresa Amesberger, Markus Gianmoena, Philipp Grassl, Constantin Koblmiller, Michael Mulavka, Gerhard Oberhofer, Gorana Savic
Project Partner: Structural engineering, building physics: Buschina und Partner / building services, electrics: Gebäudetechnik Kainer / fire protection planning: Röhrer Bauphysik
Client: AVEST Immobilien GmbH, MEGUS.STR14 Immobilien GmbH & Co KG
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.