Library and Learning Centre (LLC), University of Economics & Business, Vienna, Austria

Hadid wins with design for Library and Learning Centre in Vienna

Zaha Hadid Architects have fended off competition from international rival firms Morphosis, Studio Massimiliano Fuksas, Kada Wittfeld Studio and Prof. Hans Hollein to win the design competition for the University of Economics & Business's Library and Learning Centre (LLC) in Vienna.

A jury headed by Coop Himmelb(l)au's Wolf Prix chose the deconstructivist design by Hadid and her counterpart Patrik Schumacher, to take central place in the new campus masterplan designed by BUSarchitecture.

Described as a 'polygonal block' with 'both inclined and straight edges', ZHA's design statement for the LLC reads: "The straight lines of the building’s exterior separate as they move inward, becoming curvilinear and fluid, generating a free-formed interior canyon that serves as the central public plaza. All the other facilities of the LLC are housed within a single volume that also divides, becoming two separate ribbons that wind around each other to enclose this glazed gathering space."

The new 5-floor, 42,000 sq m LLC will house a learning centre as well as training rooms, admin offices, a library, clubroom, auditorium, book shop and ancillary service areas.

Cornelius Schlotthauer of Zaha Hadid Architects will see the project through to completion which is due by the end of 2012.

Niki May Young
News Editor
source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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