HAK Bregenz Extension

The Handelsakademie (commercial academy) built by C4 in the first half of the 1960s is considered an architectural icon and set new standards in the field of modern school construction through the spirit of a clear and undecorated architectural style, through a reduced formal language and the visualisation of the materials used. The concept for the extension of the HAK adopts the philosophy of the existing building and follows the principle of continuing to build while preserving the existing components as best as possible and completing them with a restrained and self-evident new building structure derived from the existing structure. At second glance, discreetly differentiated details suggest a different time of origin; a uniform architectural language is able to maintain the charisma and power of the entire complex. The north wing A is supplemented by a parallel linear two-storey room structure; the new slab-and-column construction takes over the constructive grid of the existing structure. The formerly one-winged school wing is transformed into a two-winged typology with interesting spatial qualities. The new extension layer is connected via docking bridge elements with atriums in between; a skylight situation provides two-sided lighting for the classrooms and creates added spatial value through attractive visual references and recreation zones.

Design Team: Andreas Cukrowicz, Anton Nachbaur-Sturm, Tobias Schnell (PL), in cooperation with Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten AG Zürich, Bmst. Thomas Marte Dornbirn, Mader Flatz Schett ZT GmbH, IBS Linz, DI Bernhard Weithas GmbH Lauterach, Enerplan GmbH Röthis, Hiebeler Mathis OG Hörbranz, Wolfgang Caser Zeitbewusst Feldkirch, Martin Stocker Modelmaking Hohenems.
Client: BIG, Wien
Competition 2023 2nd Prize