graz center of physics

urban development concept
the inner city of graz in the geidorf district is characterised by a very homogeneous yet small-scale building and urban structure, with low eaves and narrow streets. this is where the karl franzens university is located, with a view of the city park and schlossberg in the centre of graz. this is a special location with a special environment that demands a respectful response in terms of building mass distribution, outdoor space and traffic solutions when incorporating new buildings.
the expansion of the Karl Franzens University to include the Graz Centre of Physics requires a considerable building volume, which must be organised on a relatively small plot of land. the usage requirements lead to the organisation of a complex building structure that offers the best possible research and teaching space. this spatial structure, derived from the usage, must also respond to the specific urban planning aspects of the Geidorf district and the KFU. As a result, the GCP building is organised in layers of different volumes and permeabilities.
a city level that is interconnected with its surroundings emphasizes the gesture of openness and transparency of the university. It offers lecture halls as well as event and conference spaces that address not only the entire university campus but also the city itself. the ceiling height of 5.6 meters underscores the openness of this city level.
the sculpturally shaped, wood-paneled lecture halls line the street space, receding at certain points to allow light to flood between and beneath them — creating a presence in the urban space that makes the significance and function of the GCP clearly visible.
two levels above this form a cohesive building volume, perforated by light courts. this volume corresponds volumetrically to the street façades of the existing buildings and, in the architectural articulation of its façades, responds in a contemporary way to the fine-grained structure of the historic Gründerzeit façades.
the concept of vertical sun-shading louvers also addresses the potential conflict between the laboratory use of the GCP on one street front and the private residential areas on the opposite side of the street.
the historic park in front of the main building of KFU is extended to the elevated city terrace via inviting stairways. the differentiated volume arranged here simultaneously creates a transition between the “lower” and “upper” parts of the building, thereby greatly softening the impact of the imposing overall structure.
this city terrace provides another important interweaving of city and university, of natural spaces and educational areas. It offers the much-needed open and recreational space, as well as the best views over the city. a café pavilion in a prominent location further enhances the attractiveness of the terrace for all city residents.
above the terrace level, the building volume of two office floors appears to “hover,” set back from the surrounding street edges to maintain respectful distance from the existing buildings. a layered structure of efficient shading elements and transparent, colored photovoltaic balustrades articulates the volume and also provides shaded outdoor areas for the office spaces.
Harrachgasse, Goethestrasse, and Attemsgasse are reorganized with wide sidewalks and tree zones. the generous street spaces allow natural light to reach the basement levels through recessed volumes along the long sides. deliveries are handled via the loading yard located beneath the fountain plaza — a supply and disposal arrangement that integrates well into the urban environment.

architectural and functional concept
the overarching objectives — to generate creative insights and knowledge through research at the genius loci and to communicate them through high-quality teaching — are transformed into a built structure through the spatial program for research and teaching. this structure enables openness and concentration, connectivity and separation, individual and team work, as well as public interaction and privacy.

the spatial layout provides permeability, flexibility, and clarity while simultaneously meeting the technical requirements of the highly sensitive areas of the GCP. the interweaving of teaching and research functions is achieved through vertical layering and clearly defined connections. the laboratory areas requiring protection are organized according to a floor plan logic that both demonstrates the openness of a university and respects the necessary seclusion of research spaces.
openness in spirit and public accessibility of the GCP are supported by a multi-storey atrium, which appears bright and clearly structured thanks to zenithal and carefully guided side lighting. numerous learning spaces on multiple levels and in various settings, along with prominent staircases and connecting bridges, make the atrium a spatial experience and a place for communication.
the entrance level of the atrium offers a variety of open, enclosed, and flexible teaching and learning spaces. functioning as an event and conference center, it is a symbol of openness and public engagement, linking university spaces with the city and its residents. given its importance and user density, the entrance level has been designed with a generous ceiling height to accommodate tiered lecture halls.
the main lecture hall for 600 participants is positioned at the corner of Attemsgasse and Goethestrasse. the footprint of the embedded access level is absorbed by the spatial heights of the FELMI area beneath it on level -1. maximum design freedom and adaptability of the entrance level are made possible by the superordinate structural system of the upper floors.
complementing the entrance level, the city terrace with its numerous seminar and learning spaces supports the vision of a communicative and vibrant learning environment — an open setting for teaching and peripatetic walking in the platonic sense. it serves as a meeting point for all parts of the university, city residents, researchers, and students alike.
research areas with specific requirements for low vibration and minimal light exposure are located on the two basement levels. the building’s integration with longitudinal light wells, which use reflective materials to direct daylight into deeper zones, provides ideal positions for workspaces requiring daylight while maintaining proximity to the research areas. the centrally located, skylit atrium extends down to these levels, functionally connecting them to the rest of the building.
the atrium’s potential as a vertical cooling and light element is activated through water basins on level -2. The freshness and light reflections of this “fountain of knowledge” enhance the quality of the deep building zones and radiate throughout the atrium.
the two research levels above the lecture and event areas offer a compact arrangement of interconnected laboratory and associated office spaces. despite the necessary access restrictions, these areas maintain a relationship with the vertical atrium. the large-scale organization of these levels around light courts fosters interaction and enables adaptability, flexibility, and synergistic use of the research areas. vertical louvers on all façades guide natural light deep into the building volume or protect from excessive glare.
the top two floors are characterized by the compact organization of well-lit office spaces. their corresponding research areas are either located in the basement levels or programmed independently of direct research functions.
GCP is conceived as a spatially networked structure that connects all areas directly. Both internal vertical connections (lifts and stairs) providing the shortest possible routes to associated research areas and horizontal connections between different cluster zones are offered. Internal circulation within research areas occurs in secure zones, while vertical circulation for students is strictly separated from these internal routes.
the height positioning of the new building allows the floor level of the highest occupied storey to remain below 22 meters. at the same time, the space beneath the fountain plaza is activated for service vehicles and waste containers, enabling direct level access to workshops and distribution systems. low-tech light-guiding and shading systems are applied to the façades, while energy collectors are integrated into parapets and the technical enclosures of the plant floor.
servicing and waste management on Attemsgasse are organized via a loading ramp structurally separated from the GCP building to meet vibration requirements, leading to level -1. this level houses delivery and disposal functions, well-lit workshops, freight elevators, and research areas positioned in close proximity to loading operations.