As seen from the Tetris Builing
The WU or Wirtschaftsuniversität of Wien in German, or in English the University of Economics and Business of Vienna, has a new campus. which is situated next to the Vienna Fair (Wiener Messe) and the Prater.
The heart of the new university campus is the centrally located Library & Learning Center, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Hamburg. The building's asymmetrical, cantilevered roof is visible from afar, and the prominent glassfronted monitor, characteristic of Zaha Hadid's designs, faces Prater Park.
The external appearance of the building is characterized by contrasting sections of light and dark. Colored fiber-reinforced concrete was used to construct the façade. The two building segments are separated by a seam of glass.
The main entrance of the building faces the campus' central square, the WU Stage. The cantilevered roof extending towards the square makes the entrance instantly recognizable. The building's massive exterior is furrowed with narrow, canyon-like divisions and made up of two sections. Once inside, the Forum and the entry area are made to feel like extensions of the square outside. The generously proportioned atrium also serves as WU's main reception area. Wide, spiral ramps and stairways lead from the entry area up through the OMV Central Library, which extends funnel-like through 6 stories of the building. The top two floors are dedicated entirely to the library, where the wide, glass-fronted student work area offers a breathtaking view of Prater Park. The building's interior consists of a mix of self-study zones and student service units on the lower floors, combined with library space and spectacular views of the campus on the upper stories. The overall impression is of one generous open space extended over several levels.
In addition to the library and the student service units, the LC also houses the bookstore and copy shop, as well as both Ceremonial Halls, a club lounge, the International Office and the WU ZBP Career Center. WU students now have access to all academic services in one location: from admissions, enrollment, and IT services, all the way to graduation ceremonies and career support services.
See
www.wu.ac.at/campus/architecture/en/ 