Trade Fair Graz, Hall A

The Graz trade fair grounds lie in a transitional zone between a dense urban residential area and a more relaxed, lower development to the south, interspersed with commercial use. With the construction of the Stadthalle, which was opened in 2002 and whose striking roof extends far into the street space, a symbolic building was created that establishes a sense of identity and takes up an important position in the urban context. In order not to impinge upon its striking independence and its visibility from the south, the new Hall 1 was not placed parallel but swivelled at an acute angle to the Stadthalle. The swivelled placing of the individual buildings results not only in an atmospherically varied urban situation but also makes it possible to create generously-sized approach, loading and open areas on the site. Inside the two-storey hall we encounter a familiar theme: the spatial layering of function structures on a long axis. In this case it is dense function strips allocated to the individual foyers that must be passed before entering the open hall itself. In addition an element emerges that takes up the theme of transition between outside and inside: the hall has a double façade, the space between its two layers accommodates the necessary escape stairs and lifts. While the inner, load-bearing walls are made of reinforced concrete, the outer facades consist of a curtain of expanded metal elements. This gives the hall a matt shimmering, silvery envelope that through its monochrome homogenity differs clearly from the facade of the Stadthalle and, when required, can be used as a screen.

(Text: Eva Guttmann)

Prizes/Awards:
competition 2003 – 1.Prize
nominee for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2009

Project Publications:
Magazines: Architektur- und Bauforum 18/Okt. 2008 (A)
Books: 2G - Riegler Riewe, 2G Nr. 31
Editorial Gustavo Gili, 2004 - ISBN 84-252-1959-0

MesseCenterGraz Graz e.gen.

Architekt (Büroname):
Riegler Riewe Architekten ZT GesmbH
Arch. DI Florian Riegler, Prof. Arch. DI Roger Riewe

Mitarbeiter an diesem Projekt:
Manuela Müller, Steffen Schössler, Markus Probst,
Nicole Lam, Thorsten Krachler, Birgit Brodhage,
Gottfried Stummvoll, Werner Maiacher, Andreas Kassl

Statik:
Wörle Sparowitz Ingenieure ZT-GmbH, Kreuzgasse 30, A - 8010 Graz
Gmeiner Haferl Zivilingenieure ZT-GmbH, Prinz Eugen Straße 80/9, A-1040 Wien

Sonstige Spezialplaner:
Örtliche Bauaufsicht: Oberressl & Kantz ZT-GmbH, Klagenfurt / TB Köstenbauer und Sixl GmbH, Unterpremstätten
Landschaftsplanung: DI Proksch / Land in Sicht - Büro für Landschaftsplanung, Wien
Haustechnik: ALL-PROJEKT Technisches Büro GesmbH. Wien
Bauphysik: Rosenfelder & Höfler - Consulting Engineers GmbH & Co KEG, Graz
Kostenermittlung, BauKG: Fleissner + Partner GesmbH, Graz
Brandschutz: IBS - Inst. F. Brandschutztechnik und Sicherheitsforschung GesmbH, Linz
Verkehrsplanung: Snizek + Partner OEG - TB für Verkehrswesen und Verkehrswirtschaft, Wien
Lichtplanung: Werning Day & Light - Lichtplaner, München