CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 02/2023

SAVOIR VIVRE OFFICE TOWERS
Harmonious synergies
The mixed-use approach offers several benefits:
The plaza is car-free, with public transport just a stone‘s
throw away, and the Vienna International School and
Vienna International Centre are also nearby. The city
centre is only a quarter of an hour away by U-Bahn and
local recreational areas such as Alte Donau and Neue
Donau are perfectly accessible within one to three U-
Bahn stops or by bike path. An energy hub supplies the
neighbourhood with heating and cooling. Six geothermal
loops with approximately 150 deep geothermal
probes, along with a well system, form the basis for the
operation of heat pumps. Underfloor heating and building
cooling make working here pleasant all year
round.
PRATERNÄHE: WEITBLICK
120 Meter voller Bürotauglichkeit
und wirtschaftlich
nachhaltigem Komfort.
120 metres of office
suitability and economically
sustainable comfort.
we‘ve covered the general parameters, let‘s focus on
some individual highlights of the construction industry.
Hotspot: Donaustadt
The project taking shape here, Vienna TwentyTwo,
a joint venture by Signa and Are, has been underway
since February 2019. The project area covers a total of
15,000 square metres at what is likely to become a
well-known address in the future: Dr. Adolf-Schärf-
Platz, located in close proximity to Westfield Donau
Zentrum, home to hundreds of shops, entertainment
and dining options. The plans for the six building sections,
connected by a ground floor zone, come from
the minds of Delugan Meissl Associated Architects
and Vasko + Partner Ingenieure. Three parts are already
complete, encompassing 298 owner-occupied flats,
the district office and the Bassena hotel, with serviced
apartments set to follow this summer. When the project
is likely to be completed in early 2025, around
26,000 square metres of office space will be available at
a maximum building height of 153 metres.
Time-honoured icon
Constructed in 1998, the Andromeda Tower continues
to set the tone in a burgeoning district of Vienna
– the Vienna DC. The Donau City is dynamically growing,
and with an office in the Andromeda Tower, one
is right in the mix of international charm, an innovative
technological environment, and the Vienna International
Centre. The Donauinsel, serving as a local recreational
area with gastronomic and sporting
highlights, ensures a balanced work-life equilibrium –
entirely in line with today‘s understanding of urban living.
Paired with the flexibility of the interior design,
appropriate sun protection, the highlight of openable
windows and state-of-the-art technology, there is no
need to shy away from comparisons with newer projects.
If necessary, additional conference rooms can be
rented in the neighbouring Ares Tower. This, too, is a
cost-saving argument, as the reduction of operating
costs will remain a focal issue in 2023 and beyond.
Leopoldstadt: Newly blossoming business hub
The Viertel Zwei is one of Vienna‘s most diverse urban
development projects, located directly on the border
of the Prater between two U2 stations. Here you
will find office and business spaces, flats, student flats
as well as hotels – winning the Real Estate Brand Award
2021. 13,000 square metres of green space and 5,000
square metres of lake improve the quality of life. Also
currently under development is the Weitblick project,
a prestigious new addition that promises to transform
workplace environments. The strategic location near
Vienna University of Economics and Business, Sigmund
Freud University, Messe Wien, and just 20 minutes‘
driving time by car, or slightly longer by express
PHOTO: VALUE ONE
A SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE
The American International School Vienna has a long tradition
of striving for excellence in education that spans more than
six decades. While certain values, like fostering a respectful
environment, inspiring students to achieve their goals, and
establishing a sense of community remain, a modern world
needs a modern approach to education. In order to help our
students grow into responsible global citizens, AIS Vienna
is dedicated to making sustainability a part of our identity.
“Environmental friendliness is not only part of classroom
learning across all divisions, but it is also part of the learning
that takes place outside our formal curriculum in various
student clubs and activities,” says Benjamin Kuscher, AIS
Vienna Business Manager.
Our Green Initiatives
Located in the beautiful greenery of the Vienna Woods, AIS
Vienna is inherently linked with nature. We continuously
prioritize sustainability in our vision for the future. Most
recently, we installed charging stations for e-cars and e-bikes.
Members of the AIS Vienna community can now charge
e-bikes cost-free, and employees have easier access to
green options for their daily commute. In addition, two school
vehicles have been replaced with e-cars. These newest green
improvements add to on-campus solar panels (offsetting 75
tons of CO2 annually), LED lighting system (which has reduced
electricity consumption by 20%), heating efficiency measures,
and intuitive cooling systems. We use a campus wide printing
system that limits the overuse of paper. An overall conscious
effort also aims to eliminate as much plastic as possible and
switch to biodegradable alternatives across the premises,
such as on the artificial turf sports field, where olive seeds
have replaced the micro plastic pellets, and in the cafeteria,
where AMA certified local products are prioritized to reduce
transport and CO2 emissions.
New Year, New Gear
At AIS Vienna, we believe technology and innovative
practice stimulates curiosity and creativity, inspires the
joy of discovered passions, and provides students with the
tools and skills to confidently meet future challenges. We
see technology as fundamental in providing equal access to
learning for all students. As of this school year, AIS Vienna is
now a 1:1 Apple device school.
All Eyes on the Future
One of the most important ways we continue to support
student success is by tailoring the school environment
to best suit learning and growth. This past summer, the
school’s administration was hard at work implementing the
latest facilities improvements. This school year we celebrate
renovations of Grade 1, Grade 8, MS Learning Support, our
music rooms, our Outdoor Classroom, installation of 60+ new
LCD SMARTboard screens in all classrooms, along with recent
renovations to our Elementary School Science & Innovation
Lab and both of our libraries. Future projects aim to expand
outdoor learning spaces and build new facilities that will
continue to connect students to nature and the environment
and ensure that this is part of their learning.
126 Cercle Diplomatique 2/2023
Find out more at ais.at