Future strategy for the Gusshaus Campus

With the RE_DESIGNplus “Campus Gusshaus” project, the TU Wien Foundation is taking a significant step toward sustainable, scientifically sound site development. Building on the findings of an ongoing research project at TU Wien, the established methodology is being applied to a central building at TU Wien – the Gusshaus Campus. This not only deepens the research project, but also directly transfers it to the needs of a modern, future-oriented university.

The Gusshaus Campus exemplifies the architectural diversity of TU Wien: historic existing buildings, post-war structures, and newer buildings shape its appearance and functional requirements. This heterogeneity provides an ideal basis for developing innovative strategies for the sustainable transformation of university infrastructure. As in the initial project, global and European climate targets, national framework conditions, and the TU Wien’s commitment to being a sustainable university are taken into account as central guidelines.

RE_DESIGNplus examines the Gusshaus campus from a holistic perspective: What usage scenarios—from offices and seminar rooms to laboratories and living labs—need to be accommodated today and in the future? How can a building be designed to remain flexible, energy-efficient, and usable for future generations? The research provides answers based on sound data analysis, examination of the building fabric, and evaluation of technical, energy, and functional potential.

The focus is on five key development goals: adaptability of use, quality of use, thermal optimization, new energy systems, and redensification.

Close cooperation with internal stakeholders at TU Wien – from researchers to building services engineers to strategic campus developers – is a key factor in the project’s success. RE_DESIGNplus not only creates a solid basis for decision-making on future construction and renovation measures, but also promotes cross-faculty knowledge transfer and opens up new perspectives for transdisciplinary research.

This project, made possible by the TU Wien Foundation, is creating a scientifically robust basis for a tailor-made decision support kit for TU Wien. This tool is intended to serve as a strategic compass in the long term – for climate-friendly, efficient, and adaptable university buildings in the 21st century.

RE_DESIGNplus impressively demonstrates how the scientific expertise, strategic thinking, and innovative strength of the TU Wien Foundation work together to shape the future of one of the central university locations in a sustainable manner. A success story that extends far beyond the campus.

Funding amount: EUR 200,000