project type Construction of the Departments for Chemistry, Pharmacy and Theoretical Medicine

location Innsbruck, AUT

client Bundesimmobilien-GmbH (BIG)

architecture Architects Collective ZT-GmbH

structural consultant Fritsch, Chiari & Partner ZT-GmbH

floor area 20.000 m²

competition 2006

construction costs € 45.000.000

The structures of the two institutes of the University of Innsbruck are similar in plan to chromosome pairs. An underlying, unifying clasp creates an optimal combination of individuality and synergy, which continues in the interior and exterior spaces. Both institutions have their own entrances, classrooms, access areas and farms. They share space and entrances where they meet, and both use the large lecture hall, auditorium and serving areas in the basement together. All high-traffic areas such as the Institute lecture halls, teaching labs and the cafeteria are on the ground floor and work both individually and in combination with the two institutions. Since the institute buildings are tied together in the middle, the distances between the individual rooms of the sections is reduced. The resulting link in the plans allows for a favorable orientation and exposure of the north side of laboratories and offices to the south-facing courtyards.