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The Nerma Linsberger Studio is a finalist at the Architizer A+Awards in the category of Best Residential Firm.

The Studio, based in Vienna, is currently working on a variety of projects across Europe. Nerma Linsberger’s architecture arises from a careful figure-ground relationship and a real-time analysis of the development of the urban fabrics we live in.

As one of the leading offices in terms of sustainable social housing in Vienna, the studio sees itself as a link between the various levels of the sustainable cycle. From planning to implementation, the team relies on renewable materials, efficient processes, and shortened construction times to ultimately enable greater social balance through affordable living spaces for everyone.

Residential building with large windows and covered balconies.

Inspired by a variety of influences from all over the world, Nerma Linsberger Architecture Studio uses research and curiosity to find innovation and provide the best solutions. The approach is open minded, analytical, and pragmatic to create designs that have meaning and purpose, but which often go against the grain of conventionality.

A courtyard adorned with plants sets a wonderful focal point to the residential buildings.

By thinking outside the box, the firm successfully promotes sustainable design, as well as atmospheric sceneries for residents and the urban context.

Vienna
Social Housing
11.500 m²
Completed
2016

Photo Credit: Thomas Hennerbichler

The building’s introverted structure is a response to its heterogeneous surroundings: the complex has clearly defined edges on the north, east, and west sides, and opens up to the south, where it faces wide open spaces. Two courtyard blocks build an urban space sequence, creating a south-facing relationship. Cuts, openings, and large windows structure the west, north, and east sides, entering a dialogue with the surrounding urban space.

Building Structure

A closer look at the building's covered balconies. — A closer look at the building’s covered balconies.

The room modules, width of the rooms, and depth of the structure come together to form simple but very lively spaces. The portico, recessed from the façade, also serves as a meeting and gathering place. With its large and small openings, the transparent façade offers exciting spatial sequences, changing perspectives, and varied views.

Within the complex, the courtyard houses make the free space their own. The portico connects the three main buildings, creating interesting views and a distinctive living environment.

The changeable spatial structure offers openness and dynamism, accommodating a diversity of lifestyles (a first apartment, a growing family, etc.). The modular, optimized structure allows for great diversity. The apartments are very compact and use space economically.

Smaller, single-level flats offer the same quality of life despite having less usable space. To give the compact apartments more space to “breathe,” some of the B Type apartments feature 4-metre living-room ceilings.

The residential's three main buildings with varied perspectives. — The residential’s three main buildings with varied perspectives.

There are two different façade styles, each accompanying a different type of space. The “curtain” is the transparent skin by the portico, with larger and smaller openings that allow different view sequences, as well as letting in ample natural light. The room modules come with or without a loggia. Depending on the floor plan, they are designed to create irregular yet internally coherent patterns.

The project has a differentiated system of meeting rooms with varying degrees of privacy. Community rooms, a communal kitchen, as well as herb beds, community gardens, and the courtyards of the atrium homes offer a wide spectrum of diverse uses for community members. The design of the portico, staircases, and other connections results in small, manageable spaces.

A large diversity of free spaces helps strengthen residents’ sense of identification with their housing complex. Additionally, the accommodation of disadvantaged social groups in the managed-living apartments on the ground floor should build stronger community ties and reduce prejudice.

Vienna
Residential
19.700 m²
Under Construction
2019-2023

Photo Credit: NERMA LINSBERGER ZTGMBH

Creating high-quality housing this building is structured with atriums and cuttings towards the outside as well as the inside, opening up the structure and providing inevitable lighting.

Guaranteeing a higher comfort of living, pitched roofs were abstained from on the attic floors. Setbacks on each floor are mandatory due to the predetermined urban planning guidelines and are used as generous outdoor spaces. Two-level dormers create tension within the building structure and make for a unique apartment pattern.

This residential buildings boast plenty of outdoor spaces.

Each apartment offers an outdoor area – loggia, terrace, or even a combination of both. Sunny outdoor spaces are used for common terraces to enable communication among the inhabitants.

Children’s playgrounds can be found on every lot, a juvenile playground is located in the northern part.

Rendering of the building showcasing its sleek lines, pristine exterior, and sleek windows.

A compact and smart building layout as well as a simple and clear bearing structure result in a very high cost-efficiency and an economic execution. A minimal amount of staircases and elevators add to the building’s efficiency.

Vienna
Social Housing
12.500 m²
Completed
2016

Photo Credit: Andreas Buchberger

The property is located at a very busy intersection. An intervention in the existing building use class made possible better light and sun exposure conditions. In order to defuse the “T”-point, a V-shaped courtyard has been cut into the building. The paths to the access balcony and the ancillary areas are concentrated around the courtyard.

A view of the building's facade with expansive balconies from the street. — A view of the building’s facade with expansive balconies from the street.

A passage in the East creates a pedestrian connection between Brünnerstraße and a park in the West.

A large variety of apartment ground plans are made possible through the particular body structure of the building. Openness and the dynamic of the space structure may add to the diversity of housing units.

B-type apartments can be put together into bigger units, each with correspondingly large sanitary facilities. It is possible to connect the rooms between the B and C-type apartments or to merge them together.

This residential building used a lot of glass materials evident on the doors, windows, and railings.

The apartments are designed in a very compact way and are economically optimized. The flats offer the same quality and category of living by taking up less usable space.

The project has a differentiated system of meeting and communication rooms with varying degrees of privacy, for example, community rooms and a community kitchen.

A multitude of windows along with sweeping balconies comprised this building.

The development scheme of spatial connectivity results in small and easy-to-manage neighborhoods. The large diversity of free spaces strengthens the identification of the inhabitants with their residential complex. Additionally, the integration of the lower social groups in the managed apartments on the ground floor furthers the building of the community spirit and reduces prejudice.

Vienna
Social Housing
10.950 m²
Competition
2021

Photo Credit: NERMA LINSBERGER ZTGMBH

A city planning competition provided the guideline for an exposed main body with different heights and widths located at the entrance to Village im Dritten in the center of Vienna, Austria.

The generous main entryway with a ceiling height of 5 meters grants access to the building and represents a knot of communication. An open bike storage and workshop area are accessible from the main entrance as well as the court.

L-shaped elements on the planters and balconies create a striking character to this residential building.

A social crises management center is located on the ground floor accommodating children and teenagers between the age of 3-15 in their time of need.

Almost every single floor contains a common room equipped for different types of use. Supporting single parents, there are common rooms for studying, playing, cooking, and sleepovers.

Bike and stroller storage is located next to the elevator on every floor.

Tall and creeping plants adorn the residential building.

Two grand common outdoor spaces are to be found on the 6th and 7th floor, providing urban gardening, lounge terraces, and zones with intensive greening.

The two tall wings of the structure are covered with solar panels and semi-intensive planting, reducing CO2 emissions and generating energy for common spaces.

The main characteristics of the project are the L-shaped elements on the planted south facades and the L-shaped balcony structure on the west facade that is linked above the main entrance. The stairway structure of the balconies and the distinct frame of loggias behind it create an ensemble with both a suspenseful depth effect and a playful development of shadows throughout the day.

Each unit comes with a balcony and planter.

Prefabricated L-shaped elements form planting trays and together with vertical climbing ropes, they create a unique microclimatic shield. Furthermore, they provide a natural shadow in the hot summer months, representing climatic and structural physical advantages.