Untere Schönbrunngasse 7, Graz

Striving for harmony between the past and the future, we are remodelling the 1972–1975 student dormitory to offer a modern place for students to live and learn. The building at Untere Schönbrunngasse 7–11 is located in an attractive and well-connected district of Graz. Thanks to its central location, the universities can be accessed quickly and conveniently. The green surroundings provide an oasis of calm and significantly improve quality of life.
The existing building will be carefully modernized and brought up to today’s standards of comfort, energy efficiency, and spatial quality—without losing its distinctive architectural character.
Special measures such as interior insulation enable the preservation of the characteristic washed concrete facade. The entire building technology is renewed: heating will be provided in the future by a heat pump with geothermal probes, and hot water preparation via district heating. Student housing is complemented during the modernization with attractive living, communal, music, and fitness rooms as well as office spaces.
The main entrance of the building can be accessed via the covered entrance area located in the center of the north side. This welcoming space not only provides access to the three staircases, which are assigned to the respective building sections, but also offers a central distribution point.
The current total of 233 rooms will be scaled back to 203, with the aim of creating more modern single rooms. Twenty new rooms will be created on the ground floor, and eight rooms will be incorporated into the circulation areas on the first upper floor. New communal spaces, including a fitness room, music room, party room and prayer room, will be created on the ground and basement levels. Contemporary furnishings and social meeting spaces create an ideal balance between privacy and community. With our many years of experience in existing building construction and sensitive renovation of existing architecture, we succeed in preserving the 1970s character while enhancing it with modern furnishings and subtle accents. All windows, doors, elevators, and fire protection measures are adapted to modern standards.
By implementing current building biology and ecological standards, we optimally utilize available energy resources and minimize environmental impact – for future-proof, sustainable student housing. This creates a dormitory that is not only functional and sustainable but also radiates a warm, inviting atmosphere – a place where students feel at home.