BUWOG's "Oase 22"property awarded the 2013 Austrian Clients' Award by Architects’ Association

• Innovative architecture supports community life of residents
• Flexible housing forms (assisted and patchwork flats, shared home offices, etc.)
• Cooperation with the adult educational centre for in-house courses
• Professional "neighbourhood assistance" through Caritas

BUWOG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IMMOFINANZ Group, has been presented the Austrian Architects' Association's 2013 Clients' Award for the "Oase 22" property. The building was designed by the Pollak/Köb and Schmöger architects' team. The Clients' Award has been presented since 1967 and is one of the most well-known distinctions for architecture in Austria. It awards projects that are architecturally outstanding as well as especially innovative and which make a positive contribution to improving the living environment.

The "Oase 22" property in Adelheid-Popp-Gasse 1 in the 22nd district of Vienna was completed in November 2012 with 63 subsidised rental flats. In planning great priority was placed on promoting community spirit. "Our aim was to promote the housing community in the best way possible – both architecturally and through innovative recreational services", BUWOG Managing Director Gerhard Schuster explains.

Architecturally, this was achieved by the "Skywalk", a lofty link between building components as well as a spacious community rooftop terrace and rooftop garden with an elevated flower bed and greenhouse. The residential services are particularly innovative: at "Oase 22": there are living arrangements for a variety of needs such as flats for people who need assistance, barrier-free units, flats with a home office area that can also be shared with other flats, and single or patchwork flats (two separate units with a community room as a living, dining and playroom).

"Oase 22" also offers community recreational services: in cooperation with the Vienna Adult Education Centre, language, fitness and art classes are organised based on the residents' wishes. "Our aim is to be a starting point for social life in the residential facility", says Schuster. In addition, "Oase 22" is provided with professional assistance from the Caritas team, which organises community events and also provides support in the event of social problems and helps out in conflicts.

The property is also enhanced by an extensive, original art installation. The "Waiting for Birds" art project by Burgenland native Josef Bernhardt consists of five 2.40 x 1.36 metre birdhouses that beckon one to enter. According to Bernhardt, they encourage one "to slip into another identity and to critically examine chosen paths and the idea of greater tolerance toward other concepts of living".

"We are delighted about this award. It motivates us to continue pursuing our path and to put unconventional and innovative ideas for living into practice. The success is reflected particularly in the high level of tenant satisfaction at ‘Oase 22’", Schuster says.

This press release was dispatched via the BUWOG-press office.