Built by the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG) as the client, the Vienna-based architectural firm querkraft designed the new House of Schools 1.
The JKU Business School and its business administration team will now enjoy a six-floor, state-of-the-art, 7000 m2 facility designed to support education, teaching, and research.
JKU Rector Univ. Prof. Dr. Stefan Koch remarked: “In order to keep Upper Austrian companies globally competitive, we need to rethink digital transformation and global connections. As one of Austria’s leading institutions in business education and business research, the JKU Business School contributes significantly to these efforts. The House of Schools 1 gives the Business School a home that supports high standards in education and research.”
The six-floor House of Schools 1 building features some 7,000 m² of interior space, approximately180 workspaces, offices, meeting rooms, plus classrooms. The impressive climate-friendly, energy-efficient building is heated and cooled by means of deep-probe geothermal energy. The roof’s photovoltaic system generates a significant proportion of the required energy. In designing the outside space, considerable attention was paid to creating a comfortable living space and using plants to provide natural shade.
The open, architecturally impressive atrium has self-supporting stairs and landings, and the glass roof in the atrium serves as a source of natural light. The modern façade features an elegant steel structure containing three different types of shading elements: Textile screens, vertical slats made of perforated sheet metal, and green surfaces; these also serve as thermal insulation, ensuring better air quality and supporting a microclimate.
A Grand Opening Ceremony
Following a two-year construction period, the official grand opening ceremony at the House of Schools 1 took place in the company of Martin Polaschek (Education Minister), Christine Dornaus (managing director, BIG), Thomas Stelzer (governor of Upper Austria), Dietmar Prammer (deputy mayor of Linz), Peter Sapp (architect), along with a number of JKU business administrators and Rectorate representatives.
Martin Polaschek, Austrian Minister of Education, Science & Research remarked: “Digital and social change is progressing rapidly, making it all the more important to take advantage of change to create new perspectives, ideas, and solutions. The JKU's new House of Schools will play a key role, serving as an interdisciplinary place where we will educate future leaders who will be able to think innovatively and shape the future. The House of Schools is a successful milestone in the Austrian university and research landscape, as well as a modern, sustainable environment designed to support future-oriented business education and research.”
Christine Dornaus, managing director of BIG added: “The House of Schools 1 has given the JKU Business School a new identity and is yet another milestone when it comes the campus enhancements. The new building is not only climate-friendly featuring green façades and rooftops, it generates energy by means of geothermal energy and photovoltaics. The spacious atrium and cantilevered staircase are particularly impressive from an architectural perspective. I would like to wish all of the students and faculty at the Business School the very best of luck in their new building.”
Governor Thomas Stelzer: “Upper Austria is a location of business and employment and while research and innovation are essential now, this applies even more so during especially challenging times. Innovative strength is, after all, crucial when it comes to advancements in our region and remaining globally competitive in the future. The JKU Business School is an important partner in Upper Austria, and the new building matches its modern, inspiring infrastructure.”
Dietmar Prammer, Executive Deputy Mayor of Linz: “The new House of Schools 1 is an important step for Linz, especially as a dynamic location of education. The JKU Business School’s new home not only supports a high standard of education and research, but also strengthens our city toward becoming a successful location of innovation and business. Investing in educating future leaders and conducting forward-thinking research will play a key role in positioning Linz as an attractive hub where highly qualified experts can thrive and we can be a leader within a globally connected economy.”
Alexander Freischlager, JKU Vice-Rector for Campus Enhancements: “The JKU is growing; with over 25,000 enrolled students and some 4,000 employees, we are constantly challenged in terms of infrastructure. We have responded by supporting expansion and campus enhancements. Located on the southwest side of campus, the new, open, and inviting House of Schools 1 building gives JKU business administrators space to work, share ideas, and connect with others.”
Prof. Dr. Michael Tumpel, Dean of the JKU Business School: “The JKU Business School's new state-of-the-art House of Schools I building is an inspirational environment featuring flexible spaces, innovative architecture, and sustainable construction; it’s ideal when it comes to supporting creative thinking, interdisciplinary partnerships, and global networking opportunities.”
About the JKU Business School
Students aiming to become leaders of tomorrow can choose from among twelve business degree programs (three Bachelor's, nine Master's) offered at the JKU Business School and learn how to face the challenges within a global marketplace. The JKU Business School is special as it is embedded in the JKU’s technological-oriented environment, meaning students can learn more about key topics (such as digital transformation) on a cross-disciplinary basis. The curriculum for the Bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration, for example, includes digitalization. There are also a number of degree programs offered in English, including the Bachelor’s degree in International Business, and the Master’s degree program in Management, as well as opportunities to earn a double degree with partner universities abroad.
Unique Program Accreditation
The JKU Business School's Master's degree program in Management is also the first - and currently only program in Austria - to receive high-profile program accreditation by the EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), underscoring the JKU Business School's unparalleled standing within the Austrian education sector and internationally reinforcing the program’s level of competitiveness.
The House of Schools 1 – Facts & Figures:
- Building client and owner: Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H.
- Architects: querkraft architekten (Peter Sapp, Stefanie Meyer)
- Approx. 7,000 m² net usable space
- The areas are spread across the first floor and the 1st to 4th floors (plus basement), the four seminar rooms and meeting rooms as well as several project offices are located on the first floor and the institutes' areas (office use and meeting areas) are located on floors 1-4.
- Rooms: 124 offices, 8 closed meeting rooms, 5 meeting areas, 4 seminar rooms
- Capacity: Approx. 180 workspaces
- Load-bearing structure: Reinforced concrete frame construction
- Sustainability: climate-active gold, geothermal energy to heat and keep cool, concrete core activation, landscaped façade and rooftop, photovoltaics (67 kWp), option to upgrade and extend
- Gross investment costs incl. equipment: Approx. € 42.8 million
- Construction Period: Fall 2022 to Fall 2024
- The House of Schools 1 building is the first building as part of an urban complex consisting of three modules, whereby modules 2 and 3 are currently pending.