Desi­gners and buil­ding contrac­tors have reco­g­nised the poten­tial of space on the roofs of our cities. In a few decades, our roofs will be land­scapes.

With its green façades, multi-purpose use and, above all, roof space that has been capi­ta­lised on, IKEA Vienna West­bahnhof is much more than just a furni­ture store – it is a new meeting spot in the heart of the Austrian capital.

Along­side the façades, the roof is the building’s special feature. The huge roof terrace offers not only a magni­fi­cent view over Vienna, but also versa­tile offers for the public – and a chall­enge when it comes to sound insu­la­tion.

Desi­gner and buil­ding contrac­tors have reco­g­nised the poten­tial for space on the roofs of our cities. In a few decades, accor­ding to Jakob Dunkl from quer­kraft archi­tekten, our roofs will be “land­scapes that will be inha­bited, used and greened” – so, a very big topic for the future.

The façades and roof are exem­plary and pionee­ring, espe­ci­ally when it comes to climate protec­tion and the increased requi­re­ments for sound insu­la­tion.

 The archi­tec­ture and the possi­bi­li­ties of use are always crucial factors for a buil­ding’s success, and quer­kraft archi­tekten have done a lot of work here. They created a highly commu­ni­ca­tive struc­ture with urban spaces for expe­ri­ences and active roof surfaces.

A green mantle surrounds the entire buil­ding. It is 4.5 metres deep, provides plenty of shade, and houses rooms, terraces, plants and lifts, emer­gency stairs, toilets and buil­ding services.

The façades and roof are exem­plary and pionee­ring, espe­ci­ally when it comes to climate protec­tion, intel­li­gent urban conso­li­da­tion and the increased requi­re­ments for sound insu­la­tion.

The buil­ding is in line with the posi­tive image of the furni­ture store, and yet this branch is diffe­rent from all the others that have gone before.

IKEA wants to be a good neigh­bour, so the buil­ding also looks extre­mely friendly, uncon­ven­tional and urban. The Swedish furni­ture store uses five of the seven floors. Hotel Jo & Joe is located on the top two floors.

The buil­ding is in line with the posi­tive image of the furni­ture store, and yet this branch is diffe­rent from all the others that have gone before. On each level are open spaces with plants, greened façade elements, birds’ nests, beehives and lots and lots of light. A total of 160 trees ensure a more plea­sant micro­cli­mate.

IKEA Vienna West­bahnhof is crowned by an attrac­tive roof space with offe­rings that make a diffe­rence. The roof and buil­ding have already been awarded the GREENPASS ® Platinum certificate.This is an equally ambi­tious, new, all-in-one plan­ning and certi­fi­ca­tion tool for climate-resi­lient urban plan­ning and archi­tec­ture.

Ever­yone involved is a winner: those who meet for coffee on the spec­ta­cular roof often also visit IKEA, and vice versa.

IKEA and quer­kraft archi­tekten have reco­g­nised that capi­ta­li­sing on roof areas is a huge oppor­tu­nity to made our proper­ties, and thus our cities, more attrac­tive: the IKEA “TOPPEN” snack bar on the roof terrace is the first in the world that is publicly acces­sible. But there is no compul­sion to consume – you can also bring your own snacks.

Ever­yone involved is a winner: those who meet for coffee on the spec­ta­cular roof often also visit IKEA, and vice versa. Those who want to stay the night in Vienna also choose their accom­mo­da­tion based on the offers in the surroun­ding area – and the terrace on the roof is open until the evening.

This combi­na­tion of lively living and bedrooms below natu­rally entails requi­re­ments for compli­ance with maximum sound insu­la­tion.

REGUPOL is the right partner when it comes to deve­lo­ping holi­stic urban solu­tions, and also when it comes to the absence of conflict between the various user concepts.

The roof terrace above Hotel Jo & Joe is open to the public until late in the evening. This combi­na­tion of lively living and bedrooms below natu­rally entails requi­re­ments for compli­ance with maximum sound insu­la­tion (target value LnT,w< 28 dB accor­ding to ÖNORM S 5012:2012).

The impact sound insu­la­tion that is suitable for the outdoor area of IKEA Wien West­bahnhof not only meets all the sound insu­la­tion requi­re­ments but also protects the sound­pro­ofing against mecha­nical influences and has a drai­nage func­tion. A filter fleece for preven­ting slur­ries ensures these proper­ties on a perma­nent basis.

To put it in the words of the archi­tect: “If you love some­thing, it stays for longer.”

IKEA Vienna West­bahnhof is brea­king new ground on many levels. On the one hand, the Swedish furni­ture store is taking account of chan­ging consumer beha­viour with a new, car-free concept, and, on the other, thanks to nume­rous archi­tec­tural and tech­nical ideas, it offers enormous struc­tural sustaina­bi­lity.

Yet, the plea­sant and authentic appearance of the buil­ding, the gree­nery and the capi­ta­li­sa­tion on the roof areas (yoga courses are even held here) also give it emotional sustaina­bi­lity. To put it in the words of the archi­tect: “If you love some­thing, it stays for longer.”