the kleehäufel waterworks, supplying a daily water volume of 172,000 m³, becomes the third pillar of vienna’s drinking water supply alongside the two spring water pipelines. in the event of a disaster or during extended maintenance, the kleehäufel waterworks, together with other water sources, could replace one of the spring water pipelines.
this extremely important role of the waterworks in securing vienna’s supply of high-quality drinking water should also be reflected in its external appearance – the structure is to be perceived as unique and unmistakably associated with the concepts of drinking water quality, safety, reliability, modernity, cleanliness and health.
a rock-like, blue, homogeneous form with a continuous surface, where roof and wall are indistinguishable, defines the water treatment plant. above the specified reinforced concrete core, a simple outer skin made of trapezoidal sheet metal tensioned with membrane folds itself – reacting individually to entrances, external emergency stairwells, various building heights, accessible ventilation units, etc.
all accumulated rainwater is collected in a surrounding water basin and directed to a rainwater storage and infiltration system.
this extremely important role of the waterworks in securing vienna’s supply of high-quality drinking water should also be reflected in its external appearance – the structure is to be perceived as unique and unmistakably associated with the concepts of drinking water quality, safety, reliability, modernity, cleanliness and health.
a rock-like, blue, homogeneous form with a continuous surface, where roof and wall are indistinguishable, defines the water treatment plant. above the specified reinforced concrete core, a simple outer skin made of trapezoidal sheet metal tensioned with membrane folds itself – reacting individually to entrances, external emergency stairwells, various building heights, accessible ventilation units, etc.
all accumulated rainwater is collected in a surrounding water basin and directed to a rainwater storage and infiltration system.
the operations building adjoins the northwest corner of the treatment plant, enabling two direct connections from both the control room and the laboratory.
a clear separation is established between the entrance and public visitor centre on the ground floor and all workspaces requiring elevated security and access control on the upper floor.
the visitor centre, visible from outside and brightly lit from above through a skylight, opens itself to visitors. with its two-storey water wall, it communicates the function of the water treatment plant – a rock spring-like symbol for the highest drinking water quality. visitors can, as if from a mountain spring, test the quality of the water with their own hands. the water wall surface is cut from the blue membrane and features a structured, folded concrete face symbolising the “bare rock” over which spring water runs. plants and water basins make the visitor centre a true water experience space – naturally lit during the day through the skylight, and atmospherically illuminated in the evening.
on the upper floor are located the control room, all offices, the break area and the laboratory on one level; the lab and control room can be additionally separated with access control if needed.
the staff break area faces the water wall.
all storage rooms are in the north, with their own delivery ramp at ground level.
a clear separation is established between the entrance and public visitor centre on the ground floor and all workspaces requiring elevated security and access control on the upper floor.
the visitor centre, visible from outside and brightly lit from above through a skylight, opens itself to visitors. with its two-storey water wall, it communicates the function of the water treatment plant – a rock spring-like symbol for the highest drinking water quality. visitors can, as if from a mountain spring, test the quality of the water with their own hands. the water wall surface is cut from the blue membrane and features a structured, folded concrete face symbolising the “bare rock” over which spring water runs. plants and water basins make the visitor centre a true water experience space – naturally lit during the day through the skylight, and atmospherically illuminated in the evening.
on the upper floor are located the control room, all offices, the break area and the laboratory on one level; the lab and control room can be additionally separated with access control if needed.
the staff break area faces the water wall.
all storage rooms are in the north, with their own delivery ramp at ground level.
- location:
- kleehäufel, austria
- architecture:
- fasch&fuchs.architekt:innen
- structural engineering:
- werkraum ingenieure zt gmbh
- fire safety:
- mag.arch.dr.ing. gerhard düh
- rendering:
- laublab
- competition:
- 2003