Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Graz, Austria
2020
WEGRAZ Society for Urban Renewal and refurbishment m.b.H
Argos Residences
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Home to six universities and two polytechnics, the city of Graz has a long history as a seat of learning and innovation. Continuing this tradition of welcoming pioneers from around the world, Graz’s 60,000 students, academics and local businesses generate an increasing demand for visitor accommodation in the city whose population has grown by 20% since 2001.
Echoing its development as a centre of research, Graz has also built an international reputation for contemporary creativity; fostering a strong inter-disciplinary dialogue between the arts and sciences.
Named ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2003 and a UNESCO ‘City of Design’ in 2011, Graz is home to renowned cultural institutions which present popular programmes of exhibitions and performances reflecting the city’s rich culture of experimentation.
Located on the corner of Burggasse and Einspinnergasse, the Argos building is near the centre of Graz, adjacent to the city’s opera house, drama theatre, Schloßberg park and shopping streets with many restaurants, bars and farmers’ markets. Housing 21 serviced apartments varying between 30m2 and 80m2 on its upper floors, the building also provides 150m2 of retail space at street level and 278m2 of offices for local business on the first floor.
Following the 2004 design competition, developers WeGraz Society for Urban Renewal and Refurbishment awarded the project to ZHA. After consultation with the Graz Aldstadt Commission, construction began in 2015.
The building’s composition and massing respond to its corner site, whilst the elevations draw inspiration from the city’s historical architecture that includes the ornate façades of the nearby Graz Opera House.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
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The sub-division of the façade references historical principles whilst also expressing its specific location and use. A predominantly opaque, five-storey residential block appears to float above a transparent, two-storey glazed plinth that houses the retail and office floors. The residential block’s façade consists of 43 individual elements stacked above each other to define the corner site.
Each façade element is sculpted as an outward-extending funnel with a window at its centre that gazes into the surrounding streetscape. Although standardised by category, differing funnel shapes and sizes are distributed across the elevations, giving the appearance of an animated, living façade.
Developed by local engineers as prefabricated insulated units with a laminated timber substructure supporting a layer of glass-fibre reinforced plastic, the façade segments are rendered with a muted colour palette to retain their sculptural quality.
The 90 cubic metres of timber used for the façade and substructure has been locally sourced from sustainably-managed forests in Austria. To further reduce energy consumption and emissions, the building also incorporates 80 cubic metres of mineral wool insulation that is durable, recyclable and has a positive life cycle assessment.
At the inauguration of the Argos building in February 2020, Graz’s Mayor Siegfried Nagl explained: “Graz is a creative city that pushes boundaries to create surprising and fascinating innovations. This striking project offers another facet to enrich our city.”
Residential
From the renovation and extension of Monaco’s historic Le Schuylkill tower to a new 128,000 square metre waterfront development in Dubai, discover our latest residential projects.
Located in Kodra e Diellit, the fastest-growing district of Tirana, the Nest and Cascades are new additions to the community. Renowned for its colourful post-communist architecture and vibrant café culture, Tirana is the capital of Albania with almost one million residents living within its greater metropolitan region. Progressing rapidly towards European Union membership, the Albanian economy is predicted to grow significantly in the coming years—with Tirana as the centre of its growth.
Located in Kodra e Diellit, the fastest-growing district of Tirana, the Nest and Cascades are new additions to the community. Renowned for its colourful post-communist architecture and vibrant café culture, Tirana is the capital of Albania with almost one million residents living within its greater metropolitan region. Progressing rapidly towards European Union membership, the Albanian economy is predicted to grow significantly in the coming years—with Tirana as the centre of its growth.
Render by Bloomimages
Located a short distance from Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Design District, Symphony Tower is situated within the new Horizon district of Dubai between the city's Meydan Racecourse and the waters of Ras Al Khor.
Render by DAMAC
Sales Launch January 2025 100% DD
Situated on the beach at Surfside, The Delmore’s design is defined by its location and environment. ZHA’s detailed analysis of the oceanfront site mapped fluctuations in solar radiation, temperature, humidity, prevailing winds, air quality, rainfall, in addition to the variable ground and sea conditions throughout every day of the year.
Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Oystra is a 128,000 square metre seafront development of 950 one- to four-bedroom apartments, duplexes, penthouses, and waterfront villas, together with extensive shopping, dining and leisure amenities.
Serving as the gateway to the Cityzen community, a new civic hub in the west of Tbilisi, Cityzen Tower is ZHA's first project in Georgia.
_Photo by John Kellerman courtesy Alamy, montage by MIR
ZHA was appointed together with local practice Square Architecte to renovate and extend Le Schuylkill Tower. Construction works have begun with completion planned in May 2027. With 188 apartments from small studios to four-bedroom family units, the existing tower sits on a steep site with a 22m gradient between its north and south boundaries.
Render by Atchain
Comprised of 293 apartments offering panoramic views of Qetaifan Bay and the Lusail skyline, The Grove has been designed with its waterfront promenade as the heart of the community.
Render by XUniverse
The Alba is a new US$1.9 billion mixed-use beachfront development designed by ZHA for Omniyat on the Eastern Crescent of Palm Jumeirah with panoramic views of Dubai’s coast and skyline.
Photograph by Luke Hayes
Mews House is an innovative architectural solution built on a restricted urban site within one of London’s historic conservation areas
Render by Brick Visual
Roofline
Established in 1991, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) has become a leading research institution consistently ranked amongst the best in Asia and around the globe. Over half of the university’s 16,000 students enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year are from overseas, creating an urgent demand for new residential facilities within its Clear Water Bay campus.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
One Thousand Museum is a 62-storey residential tower opposite Museum Park in Miami. With views across Biscayne Bay, this popular 30-acre park was redeveloped in 2013 as one of downtown Miami's primary public spaces and includes the city's new art and science museums.
Courtesy of ZHA
The client explained to the architect, “I want to wake up in the morning and just see blue sky”, to which Zaha replied, “You realise you have to be above the trees?” The form of the residence is defined by its natural topography with fluid geometries emerging from the landscape and remaining partially embedded within the hillside.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
There is a powerful urban dynamic between the streets of New York and the High Line, a layered civic realm that has developed over generations and in many iterations. 520 West 28th conveys this contextual relationship, applying new ideas and concepts to create the latest evolution of the site’s rich history.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
D`Leedon, Singapore comprises 7 residential towers, 12 semi-detached villas and integrated landscaping with recreation facilities.
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