zaha hadid: library and learning center in vienna opens

zaha hadid: library and learning center in vienna opens
image © rieder smart elements
all images courtesy of rieder smart elements

the first photographs of zaha hadid’s new ‘library and learning center’ at the vienna university of economics and business have been submitted to us by austrian material specialist rieder smart elements, whose façade panels feature on the 28,000-square-metre building. the centre is one of seven buildings that make up the new campus and is set to accommodate 24,000 students and 1800 staff. a distinctive design component is a large black volume that is perched over the roof, cantilevering out across a public square over the main entrance. this structure houses the main library, as well as function rooms and an elevated cafe – it is clad externally in fibreC glass fibre-reinforced concrete panels from rieder. in contrast, the rest of the building is finished in white fibreC panels that hold the non-public areas, including classrooms, an auditorium, work spaces and offices. the curved concrete panels help to accentuate the smooth form.

see designboom’s previous coverage of zaha hadid’s new ‘library and learning center’ during its initial concept phase and construction.

a large black volume cantilevers across a public square over the center’s main entrance
image © rieder smart elements

side view of the cantilevered structure that houses the main library
image © rieder smart elements 

the curving façade was designed uniquely for the new university building in vienna
image © rieder smart elements

view looking towards the surrounding landscape
image © rieder smart elements

view of the smooth curving façade
image © rieder smart elements

white fibreC panels accommodate the non-public areas, including classrooms, an auditorium, work spaces and offices
image © rieder smart elements

detail view of the exterior façade
image © rieder smart elements

detail of the fibreC panels
image © rieder smart elements

project info:

location: vienna, austria
time period: 2008 – 2012
program: university of economics and business, vienna
size: 28000m2
gross area: 42000 m²
length: 136m
width: 76m
height: 30m (5 floors)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.