DC Tower 3, Vienna (AT)
New building
Client: S+B Plan & Bau GmbH
Location: A-1220 Vienna, Donau-City-Straße 3
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller
Construction: 2018 – 2022
Area: 24,000 m²
Programme: 832 student apartments, fitness and event area, roof terrace
Photos: Kurt Hoerbst
Team
Anna Aichhorn, Rainer Beer, Vinzenz Dreher (Project management), Harald Eder, Clemens Holzhuber, Marcel Janisch, Lena Kampl, Margaux Kleindienst, Severin Mayer, Michael Porath, Katharina Reiner, Florian Rizek, Dominik Tschabrun, Florian Xander
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Partners
Statics: KS Ingenieure, Vienna
Building services: die Haustechniker, Jennersdorf
Heating, Facade: Dr. Pfeiler, Graz
Fire protection: Kunz, Mödling
Flow calculation: Weatherpark, Vienna
Soil mechanics: 3P Geotechnik, Vienna
Traffic: Rosinak & Partner, Vienna
Landscape: Kieran Fraser, Vienna
Interior Design: BEHF Architekten, Vienna
Civil engineering: i+R Spezialtiefbau, Lauterach /
Building construction: Granit, Graz
Facade: Alu Sommer, Stoob
Awards
- gebaut 2022, Award
A high-rise on a traffic island
DC Tower 3 on the Donauplatte (Danube plate) in the north of Vienna completes the ensemble with the two office towers DC 1 and DC 2, designed by Dominique Perrault, and offers 832 flats for temporary living. On several levels, the 100 metre high building is connected to the existing Donaucity quarter and the transport network by public squares and paths and forms the end of the previously incomplete Carl-Auböck-Promenade.
The protrusions of the three-dimensionally shaped and aluminium-clad façade elements find their counterpart inside in cosy alcoves that frame the view of the Danube and the city from the rooms. Aluminium slats structure the façade in the base storeys, while the tower is clad in aluminium panels from the ground floor upwards.
The narrow plot – little more than a traffic island, surrounded by Wagramerstrasse, the motorway slip road and the underground line – presented us with major challenges during the planning phase. However, the attractive location on the Danube with a view of St. Stephen's Cathedral and the prominent neighbourhood with UNO City, the Perrault Towers and Harry Seidler's skyscraper were worth taking the risk.
Bridge over underground line
In order to develop the project sensibly, the Donauplatte was extended from the Carl-Auböck-Promenade to Wagramerstraße. A bridge was built over the underground line to overcome the height difference of around six metres.
The bridge leads to the plaza on the ground floor and offers an attractive public square with seating steps and a view of the Danube and the city.
DC Tower 3 is connected to the existing Donaucity neighbourhood on several levels by cycle paths and footpaths. An underground station on the doorstep and numerous bus routes also make the residential tower easily accessible by public transport.
Nice to meet you!
The wind-protected, partially covered roof terrace, a green atrium in the base with adjoining event rooms and the communicative circulation promote social interaction among the residents.
Learn, relax, exercise
The plinth houses event and fitness areas as well as attractive recreation and learning zones. Uncovered ceilings allow for generous room heights. A café with a terrace enriches the public space, as do consumer-free zones.
Room with a view
The 832 flats extend from the first to the 32nd floor and are equipped with a sanitary unit, a workstation and a small kitchenette. Inside, the triangular protrusions of the metal façade are transformed into wooden alcoves, which serve as heated seating windows for relaxing and offer sweeping views over the city. The window alcoves were prefabricated as modules and assembled on site.
Difficult building site
It was not only the cramped space situation, but also difficult ground conditions and a tight schedule that tightened the general conditions for the foundation construction of the DC3. Two large rotary drilling rigs were used in parallel for the piloting. This meant that 535 pilots could be concreted in the specified time of four months. The almost one metre thick pilots were drilled up to 35 metres deep into the ground using an SOB auger.
Delivered as prefabricated modules, the alcoves were fitted into the façade.
