Residential complex Graz-StraßgangAustria

Florian RieglerRoger Rieve 1992-1994

The Residential Complex in Graz is a low cost building designed by Florian Riegler en Roger Riewe with a minimum of materials; concrete and steel. The building has an minimalistic form with rytmical, regular elevation covered with sliding elements of steel, used as sun and visual protection. The Residential Complex is also a concept of a new settlement structure. The building can be repeated many times.

The public area is limited by the square in front of the building and the transparant stairways. A green strip was laid out on one of the long sides of the building wich merges into a large concrete area beneath wich car-parking spaces are located.

Transparant stairways with big windows

The transparant stairways at night

Interior view

SocialBecause of the low budget projectthe architects' proposal is basicly about plain architecture according to the rule that says: "almost nothing with ruthless consistency". In fact, because of the plain architecture, people don’t like to live there. Too designed, too sterile, and most important, no garden.

Economical It’s a low cost housing, using minimum of materials.

TechnologicalThe building is a modular system of the same units. Concrete and steel are the main materials for this low cost project.

IndividualThe building provides in simple and comfortable appartements with large bedrooms (4). The kitchen and the wet benches are situated in the middle of the appartement. The other rooms, each situated on a side of the buiding, are related to each other by folding doors, sliding doors and crossways. So you have a vista from one side of the building trough the other side. It makes it possible to have enough light in all the rooms.

CommunalRiegler/Riewe didn’t create a relationship between the building and its surroundings by laying out small gardens or making balconies. Due to the location of the housing block in relatively green surroundings, they saw no necessity to create individual gardens. The public area is limited by the square in front of the building and the transparant stairways.

UrbanThe residential complex exists in one singular building. It has no large influence on the urban level.