Research Institute and Calculation Centre in Leoben - Austria

Abstract

This buildings for the Voest/Aipine AG was distinguished with the prize of the European Steel Convention. It comprises a basement and a rectangular plan lower body, from which a cruciform tower projects, for offices: — The basement, in its two levels, provides parking space for 40 cars, the research and test departments, the technical installations of the building and of the calculation centre. — The lower body, also of two heights, has, in the lower part, access to the centre, and in the rest of the surface, new laboratory sections and a spacious series of social and work quarters. — The office tower is a hanging construction, with a main nucleus, through large lattice girders resting in the crowning of the large piles which form the nucleus, in which two lifts, the staircase and Service facilities of each level have been placed. The floors designed for offices are in the shape of the Greek cross and this was chosen as it enabled the surface to be best utilised, with shortest Communications. Sandwich panels have been used In the frontages, thereby achieving a considerable reduction in energy consumption of the installations. All the work, except the basement levels, made in reinforced concrete, have metal structure.