Gersthof Model School Renovation and Conversion, This is the story of the transformation of Gersthof Orthopaedic Hospital into a contemporary educational campus. The building, with its checkered past, is situated in an upmarket residential area in a sprawling park with century-old trees.
© Andreas Buchberger
The striking building from the 1920s is a listed monument, and after the hospital moved out, it was almost converted into luxury apartments. Instead, however, the property was acquired by the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG), which developed a flagship project for the adaptation of existing buildings into contemporary learning landscapes. In this way, it remains open to the public.
© Julius Silver
Adapting the building within the constraints of monument protection regulations also presented an opportunity to question conventional school building standards and to deviate from them in some respects. For example, the existing five-meter wing depth resulted in classrooms that are narrower but also longer than usual. This, in turn, provided space for individual learning and group work zones as well as a wardrobe.
© Andreas Buchberger
We removed non-load-bearing inner walls to open up the dark central corridors leading to the classrooms. Inviting break and learning areas were introduced between the classrooms. In the corridors, the characteristic red tiles, the skirting boards, and door frames have been preserved in part in their original form – throughout the building, we cite these existing elements in the architectural additions.
© Andreas Buchberger
We recessed the terrain to provide access to the park. Now the previously old dark basement connects a ground-level cafeteria and after-school supervision facilities to the bright garden. The former administration building opposite the main building was given a new function as a science centre with laboratories.
© Andreas Buchberger
Instead of retrofitting the monument with a mechanical ventilation system that would surely not fulfill preservation regulations, we opted for a low-tech concept with intelligently controlled window ventilation. This school is the first building to receive “klimaaktiv” certification with such a service concept.
Project Info
Architects: Franz&Sue
Country: Austria, Wien
Area: 7510 m²
Year: 2025
Photographs: Andreas Buchberger, Julius Silver
Manufacturers Jansen, Margres, Knauf, Mosa, Sattler: Jansen
Lead Team: Johannes Alge
Design Team: Márton Meszes, Daniel Löschenbrand, Julia Aigner, Maximilian Ebner, Thomas Huck, Tanja Marben, Paulina Lakomiec, Natali Stefanova, Suvi Repo, Angela Lulati
Engineering & Consulting > Structural: Petz ZT Gmbh
Engineering & Consulting > Other: Bauklimatik, Hoyer Brandschutz
Engineering & Consulting > Electrical: Hross+Partner
Landscape Architecture: idealice
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.