Music Box, In 2017, the architecture studio heri&salli/Vienna won the housing competition “Leben am Helmut-Zilk-Park” (Living at Helmut Zilk Park) in Vienna/Sonnwendviertel Ost. The winning entry was developed into the interesting and manifold project “Music Box am Arsenalsteg” together with ÖSW/Österreichisches Siedlungswerk, art: phalanx Agency for Culture and Urbanity and Landscape Architecture Carla Lo. The building was completed in 2021 and has been in operation ever since.
© Paul Ott
The Music Box, located nearby Vienna Main Train Station, is providing spaces for living, working, and relaxing. Vienna, being one of Europe’s cultural centers, is offering a widespread network of spaces for the needs of the creatives-especially for those in the field of music. The interplay of different components and actors is generating a vivid hotspot of creativity as well as stimulating and identity–forming impulses for the entire “Sonnwendviertel” quarter.
© Paul Ott
Heterogeneous use. Based on the exceptional location in the center of the new quarter, the Music Box takes up the potential of the place itself while additionally focusing on the supraregional needs of the city of Vienna.
© Paul Ott
161 serviced apartments (free of commission, furnished apartments, optionally with individually bookable services) provide – with a booking period of 6 months to 2 years, in combination with fitness and wellness offers – a perfect temporary home
© Paul Ott
In addition to the apartments, with generously integrated open spaces that can be reached from every floor, the publicly oriented first-floor zone offers services, information, and a concierge, as well as a cafeteria with a guest garden and an adjoining Creative lab / Event space. The consumption-free, partly stepped zones with participation potential for open-air theatre, summer cinema, readings or concerts offer synergies in the open space and form a flowing transition to the public realm with the surrounding squares and lounge areas. The soundproofed basement allows for a variety of uses: In particular, rehearsal rooms of various sizes, and dance and movement areas.
© Paul Ott
Architecture results in a wide range scope of actions.
Project Info
Architects:heri&salli
Country: Austria, Vienna
Area: 8000 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs:Paul Ott, Zoom VP, Courtesy of heri&salli
Design Team: Klaus Molterer, Rumena Trendafilova, Ulysse Zehnlé, Loris Luigi Perillo
Construction Planning: Nevena Marjanovic, David Florez, Stiljana Manolova
Model: Petros Roumanas
Landscape Design: Carla Lo – landscapeplanning
Client: ÖSW – Österreichisches Siedlungswerk
Mixed Used Concept: art:phalanx – agenca for culture and urbanity
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.