Lavanttal Technology Park - Competition (1st Place) IN COLLABORATION with Stoiser Wallmüller Architekten ZT GmbH und Studio LandForm

• Learning
• North
• Public
• Working

Lavanttal Technology Park is located along the new Koralm Railway between Graz and Klagenfurt. As a hub for knowledge and innovation, it is set to become a key driver of the emerging AREA SÜD economic region. Over the next 30 years, the 9-hectare campus will be developed collaboratively by the nine surrounding municipalities together with the State of Carinthia. The project places sustainability, circular economy principles and research into innovative materials at its core.

Productive Landscape

The design for Lavanttal Technology Park follows a consistent circular economy approach. A productive landscape of diverse tree and plant species activates the entire site from the outset while serving as a living material library that informs future research and construction activities. At the same time, a robust yet adaptable masterplan ensures long-term flexibility for the development. Circular construction methods, prefabrication and low-tech strategies reduce resource consumption and life-cycle costs.

From the very beginning, the site is established as a productive landscape. Tree planting combined with understory vegetation, inspired by agroforestry systems, creates a renewable material library from which trees and plants are gradually harvested. These become raw materials for research, material innovation, and future construction processes on site. At the end of each building’s life cycle, components are either reused or dismantled, eventually returning to the site as organic matter that enriches the soil for new plantings.

Masterplan

The site’s vegetative and built development is organized into seven development bands. While the built structure follows a geometrically defined north–south framework, the east–west-oriented development bands provide maximum flexibility for a wide range of uses, building typologies, and future requirements. Defined open spaces within each band establish a diagonal sequence of public squares connecting the railway station in the north with the bus station at the southern edge of the site. Ground-floor zones adjacent to these squares are recessed by four metres, creating sheltered outdoor terraces for cafés as well as spaces for open-air workshops.

The buildings themselves are composed of a two- to three-storey urban podium accommodating workshops and laboratories, topped by office towers of up to six storeys. Together, they create a distinctive spatial identity for the campus.

A Possible Scenario

The proposed masterplan should be understood as one possible development scenario. The diagonal sequence of public squares begins in the north with a landscape of heath and ornamental grasses, anchored by a prominent Entrée building for events and exhibitions. Kindergartens and restaurants are likewise positioned along this sequence of public spaces.

The above ground parking garages are designed for disassembly and are accessed directly from the western access road and the main road, allowing the remainder of the campus to remain car-free except for delivery traffic. Hardscaped and landscaped squares alternate throughout the site and together with courtyards, roof terraces and balconies, create a diverse network of public, semi-public and private open spaces.

Architecture

The architectural concept is based on a robust modular system with economical structural spans that can be adapted to a wide variety of uses. Circular construction methods, prefabrication, and low-tech strategies minimize resource consumption while ensuring long-term economic life-cycle performance. Green façades, solar shading and integrated photovoltaic elements form an essential part of the building envelope. Heating and cooling are provided through geothermal energy combined with thermally activated building structures.

In this way, Lavanttal Technology Park becomes not only a place for research, but also a living demonstration of sustainable material cycles, energy systems, and circular construction.