new forum magdalensberg

urban design concept
a market town seeks its center.
the municipal office, the inn, the school, the local shop, and the church were the cornerstones of a functioning village square.

how can a municipality, geographically a loose association of 40 settlements, define itself as a community? this can only succeed through a strong—lived—cohesion, manifested in the built center. intellectual and physical nourishment is consumed communally at the village square, highly concentrated, and extended through sports, or at least the observation of sports. football symbolizes the friendly contest of strength among different community affiliations—teams. the density of offerings for private and communal needs makes the square the hub of the village community. in this sense, the market town of magdalensberg aims to finally create a center that provides the necessary identity for its community—the forum magdalensberg. school, doctor, sports field, local shop, community center, bank, club rooms, music ensemble, and cultural spaces form the forum, which is built over temporal stages.

school, music, and club life
the spatial connection and interaction between the elementary school, music school, and club rooms bring synergistic advantages to all three areas. to capitalize on these advantages, a shared entrance area with an aula is established as a prominent symbol and simultaneously the heart of the school building. the two-story aula connects all floors and areas, acting as a linking element and puzzle piece between the existing and new buildings. serving as aula, reading stairs, and media library, it fulfills the identity-creating functions previously missing in the school: a confident landmark on the forum square, a place where school extends beyond the classroom, and even outdoors provides a weather-protected space for school events, theater performances, or simply a place to gather before and after school. the additionally required classrooms are organized as clusters. classrooms, the marketplace, and associated outdoor areas are connected directly and continuously to the existing school on the upper floor. the existing building is also gently adapted into a cluster with marketplace = afternoon care. a simple terrace in front allows a quick transition between indoor and outdoor learning zones. the school is transformed from a corridor-based school into a learning landscape through expansion and gentle renovations. existing sanitary blocks on the ground and upper floors can, with minor adaptation, also serve the music school on the ground floor and the new cluster on the upper floor. the music school is spatially linked to the school and also functions as its extension. the cafeteria is positioned adjacent to the club rooms on the square, opening onto it and activating the square during lunchtime and events. the club rooms are connected to the music school so that the large percussion room can also serve as an extension or stage for the main hall during events.

forum magdalensberg
the educational and cultural areas form the beginning of the forum. by positioning the aula with the media library on the west side of the square, it is symbolically defined while still allowing permeability to the existing school forecourt. the projecting roof of the aula protects the temporary stage and on certain weekdays houses a covered construction market. the former school forecourt is transformed into a school woodland with numerous trees that filter street noise and dust. a green wall shields the area from the street, ensuring safe access for schoolchildren. the L-shaped positioning of the aula and additional extension marks the southeastern corner of the future forum. the forum house, with the municipal office, bank, medical center, and inn with beer garden, frames the square to the southwest. the local shop is slightly set back to avoid dominating the square while still activating it. its location allows customer access from the square and deliveries from the opposite side. the three main elements of the square are arranged to integrate, not block, the sports field. sports fans access the stands via the square. before and after games, the forum is activated by the fans. (access control between buildings would be possible.)

art and open space
the square is framed to the north, on the slope toward the street, by “art walls”—a permanent installation with temporary large-format posters. the programming is curated by a committee nominated by the municipality. themes can address the site, medium- and long-term history, etc. the art walls serve as symbols inward and outward, manifesting the place and its new identity. trees are planted where the community should linger: in front of the inn to mark the shady beer garden, in front of the local shop where people wait, and in the school woodland. they also act as traffic-calming elements on street islands.

moving and stationary traffic
traffic on the state road is slowed by visual and functional signals. visually, the road is almost integrated into the square, further reducing speed. tall trees act as buffers and brakes on street islands, which also guide access and exits from side streets and the bus bay. the parking spaces for the local shop are in an open underground garage beneath the forum. additional municipal parking is possible but should be reconsidered, as low overlap between opening hours and cultural events suggests possible reductions.

residential buildings
residential development must support the formation of the center. some densification is required for both urban and ecological reasons. the densification transitions from single-family houses to the dense center with two- to three-story row houses and the overbuilding of the local shop.

substation – youth center
a space with undefined use, offering youth a chance to appropriate it, should remain. new residential buildings justify the space requirement for youth, strengthening the creation of the “forum magdalensberg.” the adaptation of the substation should be led by the village community to bring impulses for the new community to residents. at the interface between the new forum and the youth center, a generation park with a skate park will be created.

material concept
great attention is paid to ecological footprint, co2 emissions from production, transport, and disposal of building materials. all classrooms have wooden floors to enhance the floor as a seating or play area; other rooms are finished according to requirements. ventilated facades are executed with wooden cladding, and windows are wood-aluminum constructions. transparent surfaces have effective external sun protection. cantilevered roofs or balconies serve as sun protection for high summer sun, protect facades from weather and dirt, and facilitate cleaning and maintenance. trees in front of the facades provide additional shading.

energy concept
the energy concept is based on passive optimization, including the omission of suspended ceilings to use the available thermal mass (reinforced concrete ceilings and walls). acoustic elements are designed to activate the thermal mass.
at night, skylights can automatically open when outdoor temperatures permit, enabling cross ventilation. this expels warm air and introduces cooler outside air. the night air cools the thermal mass and preconditions rooms for the next day.
balconies, roof overhangs, or cantilevered building parts provide glare-free lighting, prevent summer overheating, and allow sheltered ventilation. green roofs with a thick humus layer absorb and delay energy input, contributing to additional thermal stabilization. during soil moisture evaporation, a cooling effect occurs due to the released latent heat.