Full renovation of WUK
The WUK, a cultural centre with workshops and studios located in Vienna‘s 9th district, is bound to catch people’s attention for its characteristic historic structures. In the mid-19th century, the building complex was erected by industrialist Georg Sigl for his machinery factory. Over the years, its use as a factory was superseded, first by educational and research purposes, and eventually also, starting in the early 1980ies, by its operation as a cultural centre.
The building had been worn by the passage of time and was in need of comprehensive renovation, which was started in 2020 with an architectural contest.
Multi-disciplinary consultants Vasko+Partner, in collaboration with RAHM Architekten as their architectural and consortium partners, were responsible for the full modernisation of the historic building. Some 12,000 m2 were made fit for the future in this renovation project.
The WUK is an important public cultural institution. It comprises stages, galleries, rehearsal space, workshops, and spaces for initiatives and associations. Every year, some 200,000 people visit the WUK.
The building complex posed varied challenges in terms of project handling and management: apart from full renovation of the building envelope in compliance with listed building standards, Vasko+Partner also planned and designed the overhaul of the building services installations and a new ventilation system for the function hall. Central to the works was optimisation with regard to barrier-free accessibility. To achieve this, two passenger lifts and a platform lift were installed, mostly during continued operation of the building, and access to the various building parts was functionally improved. The sanitary facilities were also refurbished and adapted, and the building’s thermal properties upgraded by insulating the top floor slabs and fitting a green-roof system on the central building. The latter required structural retrofitting of the existing building. To enhance the energy efficiency of the complex, PV systems were mounted on three roofs.
The WUK was officially reinaugurated in April 2024. Thanks to its careful modernisation, the long-term continuation of this multi-faceted cultural institution is secured. We are very pleased to have contributed to this renovation since it enables future generations to experience this special cultural site.
| Project owner | City of Vienna, Municipal Department (MA) 34 – Building and Facility Management |
| Generalkonsulent | Multi-disciplinary consultants V+P: project control, building services engineering, structural engineering, building physics, fire safety, architectural production information, tendering, cost management, construction site supervision |
| Client | City of Vienna, Municipal Department (MA) 34 – Building and Facility Management |
| Architecture | RAHM Architekten |
| Further data | User: WUK |
