A new nursery for the Vienna City Gardens (MA42) is being built in the heart of the Schweizergarten in Vienna’s 3rd district. The project exemplifies a modern blend of operational efficiency, sustainable construction and sensitive integration into existing green spaces.
Location in historic park surroundings
The new building will be constructed within the approximately 115,000 m² Schweizergarten, opposite the existing MA42 administration building. The park-like surroundings, featuring ponds, alpine plantings and mature trees, place particular demands on the design and integration of the building into the landscape.
Interdisciplinary planning as a foundation
The project is being carried out through close collaboration between several specialist disciplines: FORUM Architekten is responsible for the overall design, PCD ZT GmbH is handling the structural engineering, whilst iC Prause is managing the building physics aspects. This integrated approach enables the architecture, construction and use of the building to be developed in a coordinated manner.
Functional layout based on the triangular courtyard principle
The design is based on the traditional layout of a triangular courtyard and adapts this principle to a contemporary use. Three clearly defined areas – office and staff rooms with a workshop, a machine shed, and a technical services area beneath a cantilevered roof – form a compact and functionally optimised building complex.
Focus on sustainability and circular construction
A key element of the project is its consistent focus on sustainability. The timber construction meets the ‘klimaaktiv Gold’ standard and adheres to the principles of circular construction, for example through a reversible structural design. This is complemented by a naturally regulated indoor climate and well-designed transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, which allow the building to blend harmoniously into the park landscape.
The klimaaktiv rating underscores this commitment with high scores in the areas of energy and utilities, building materials and construction, as well as location and user comfort.
Completion is scheduled for 2027
The new nursery is due to be completed in early 2027 and will serve as the central hub for Vienna’s municipal gardens. This will not only create a functional operational base, but also serve as an example of sustainable infrastructure within an urban green space.
