Agnes-Heller-Haus
Project Type:
University
Year:
2023
Architect
mohr niklas architekten
Location:
Innsbruck, Austria
The Ágnes Heller Haus, designed by Mohr Niklas Architekten, is a significant architectural addition to the University of Innsbruck. Completed in 2023, this nine-story building serves multiple functions, including a 600-seat auditorium, a large lecture hall, seminar rooms, offices, a library, and a canteen, all organized around a central atrium. This atrium acts as the heart of the building, facilitating natural light penetration and creating a dynamic space for interaction and communication. The atrium's design emphasizes openness and connectivity, aligning with the philosophical principles of Ágnes Heller, after whom the building is named.
Urban planning for the Ágnes Heller Haus emphasizes maximizing urban space and integrating green spaces within the cityscape. The building's compact footprint allows for extensive green areas, enhancing the recreational value of the campus and contributing to ecological sustainability. The design also creates a distinctive urban edge along Innrain Street, redefining Christoph Probst Platz as a central campus square with coherent urban settings. The green staircase leading to the basement classrooms further blends the building with its natural surroundings, promoting a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
Structurally, the building is designed to be robust and flexible, with a reinforced concrete frame that supports adaptable floor plans. The use of durable materials, such as artificial stone in high-stress areas, ensures longevity and resilience against the demands of a busy university environment. The exterior design mediates between the small-scale buildings of the surrounding area and the larger volumes of nearby structures, creating a harmonious integration with the existing urban fabric.
Overall, the Ágnes Heller Haus is not just an academic building but a vibrant public space that embodies the values of openness, sustainability, and community, making it a landmark of modern university architecture.