children museum graz

building concept
natural, optimal daylight guidance, spatial variability, constructive clarity in material and structure, reduction of the building to its core functional purpose, consideration of the specific site and the reciprocal influence between art and nature. special attention is given to “warm materials”, to the site as a field for experimentation, and to the possibility of a holistic understanding of the building itself. the structure becomes an architectural experience: construction, building services, and lift shafts – functional arteries – remain visible for comprehension and understanding of the house, just as the ventilation plant room, acoustically but not visually separated, forms an integral part of the permanent exhibition. the primary elements of a building – wall, floor, ceiling – merge seamlessly to form the spatial volume. movable partitions allow a continuous exhibition space across two floors, experienced through a vertical spatial sequence with multiple height levels. special exhibition and auditorium are lit by north light; adjustable flaps reflect glare-free light into the interior. continuous skylights illuminate the permanent exhibition. both areas can be interconnected to form one large exhibition space. the building is semi-sunken into the augarten landscape; its tectonic shaping “privatizes” the courtyard area without artificial boundaries and reduces the perceived volume of the children’s museum within the park. the form results from the plot’s location and geometry within the augarten, from light direction and volumetric optimization. the eastern indentation serves delivery and removal. openable and extendable workshops line the western terrain depression, offering an outdoor workspace covered by the upper floor – with minimal intervention, this area could be expanded into an interior zone. the western terrain depression functions as an outdoor experimental and working field for the museum: solar-reflecting rainwater basins cascade into the courtyard via water slides; mud and water basins are preheated by on-site solar panels. a garden for fruits, herbs, and vegetables extends the museum’s thematic range. the administration wing is screened off on the upper floor with direct visual links to the exhibition, foyer, and entrance areas.

fire protection concept
the selected building form with interconnected spatial combinations ensures short and clearly visible escape routes directly to the outside. evacuation safety and thermal relief in case of fire are secured via smoke and heat extraction openings in the rooflights. this allows for a cost-effective structural solution. technical rooms in the basement are designed as legally compliant fire compartments. the fire water supply is provided via the public network; portable fire extinguishers are installed in accordance with TRVB 124.

technical concept for roof and façade construction
the building design with flowing transitions between roof surfaces, walls, and lighting sheds requires an appropriately adaptable and homogeneous envelope for the entire structure. constructive transitions are executed reliably and technically correctly using high-polymer waterproofing membranes made of EVA (e.g., EVALON-V), which adapt to the surface contours and provide long-term, technically flawless sealing, fully meeting physical building requirements due to high vapor permeability. EVA is tensile and tear-resistant and can be applied across all slope levels, even as a membrane on vertical façade surfaces. the membrane is either fully bonded to the substrate or fixed at specific points. costs are comparable to conventional water-bearing systems.