following the already existing waste incineration plants in spittelau and flötzersteig, which process 450,000 tonnes of waste annually, the pfaffenau waste incineration plant (wip) is planned to add another 250,000 tonnes of incineration capacity. these figures underline the functional and economic importance of the pfaffenau wip as a key component of vienna’s waste management strategy.
the formerly negative public perception of waste incineration plants is now gradually changing – not only due to globally recognised environmental standards, but also because the energy produced during incineration is used to generate eco-friendly district heating in vienna. a waste incineration plant is no longer associated with being a “polluter”, but instead stands for environmentally friendly energy generation.
this positive connotation has removed the need to hide a waste incineration plant behind a decorative façade.
the formerly negative public perception of waste incineration plants is now gradually changing – not only due to globally recognised environmental standards, but also because the energy produced during incineration is used to generate eco-friendly district heating in vienna. a waste incineration plant is no longer associated with being a “polluter”, but instead stands for environmentally friendly energy generation.
this positive connotation has removed the need to hide a waste incineration plant behind a decorative façade.
the core idea behind the design of the building’s envelope was therefore to preserve the recognisability of this “high-tech facility for environmental protection” without pushing it too much into the spotlight.
a translucent skin made from recyclable plastic panels spans the entire waste incineration plant, including the biogas facility and associated auxiliary structures – in some areas directly attached to reinforced concrete walls or ceilings, in others functioning as an independent spatial boundary. the translucency of the skin allows the technical equipment to shimmer through and become perceptible, while simultaneously laying a permeable veil over it. it lets in plenty of daylight, acts as a heat trap that gains energy, and glows from within at night.
without denying its contents, the smooth, semi-transparent shell ennobles the technical systems and softens their industrial appearance. the permeability makes the building appear smaller and less hostile. exposing the inner workings of the plant communicates to the public a sense of confidence in the high standards and environmental friendliness of the facility.
a translucent skin made from recyclable plastic panels spans the entire waste incineration plant, including the biogas facility and associated auxiliary structures – in some areas directly attached to reinforced concrete walls or ceilings, in others functioning as an independent spatial boundary. the translucency of the skin allows the technical equipment to shimmer through and become perceptible, while simultaneously laying a permeable veil over it. it lets in plenty of daylight, acts as a heat trap that gains energy, and glows from within at night.
without denying its contents, the smooth, semi-transparent shell ennobles the technical systems and softens their industrial appearance. the permeability makes the building appear smaller and less hostile. exposing the inner workings of the plant communicates to the public a sense of confidence in the high standards and environmental friendliness of the facility.
- location:
- wien, austria
- architecture:
- fasch&fuchs.architekt:innen
- team architecture:
- florian bylow, martin waldner
- structural engineering:
- werkraum ingenieure zt gmbh
- rendering:
- laublab
- competition:
- 2003