Children’s Art Laboratory St. Pölten

St.Pölten, Austria

Visualization © Schenker Salvi Weber

Drawing © Schenker Salvi Weber

Photo © Schenker Salvi Weber

Cultural Centers

Architects: Schenker Salvi Weber Architekten ZT GmbH

Location: Schulring 24, 3100 St.Pölten, Austria
Year: 2024
Client: Stadt St. Pölten
Team: Andres Schenker, Maximilian Dietz, Michael Salvi, Otto Bäuerle, Rostislav Stoklásek, Thomas Morgner, Thomas Weber, Tristan Hunt, Veronika Ševčíková
Structural Engineer: Werner Sobek AG
Project Management: FCP – Fritsch Chiari & Partner
Building Physics and Acoustic Consultant: Schöberl & Pöll Bauphysik
Services Engineer: BPS Engineering
Fire Safety Consultant: IMS Brandschutz
Electrical Services Engineer: BPS Engineering
Landscape Architectur: bauchplan ).( Landschaftsarchitekten und Stadtplaner

Project Competition 2020 — 1st Prize
Realisation 2021-2024

The Children’s Art Laboratory demonstrates a significant symbolic character, being a landmark on the path from the historic centre to the cultural district. The interconnected space and wooden structural framework offer maximum flexibility for an innovative promotion of art and culture. The generous, communicative stairway, a multi-purpose space, serves as a forum for events and thus becomes a place to meet, as well as being the heart of the Children’s Art Laboratory.

The multi-purpose space winds its way along the façade in the form of a helix up to the laboratory. The exhibition world in the two upper levels weaves its way, as needed, into the available spatial framework. A continuous spatial zone emerges, consisting of open and enclosed space. The everchanging veil of wooden vertical slats provides a filter for latent views into the building, whilst presenting the process-oriented character of this house. The all-encompassing spatial composition is open, inviting, transparent and flooded with natural light, thus encouraging passion and motivation.