dietger wissounig: tunnel monitoring complex in hausmannstaetten

‘tunnel monitoring complex’ in hausmannstaetten by dietger wissounigimage © jasmin schuller

located at the west portal of the himmelreich tunnel at hausmannstätten in austria, is a ‘tunnel monitoring complex’ designed by dietger wissounig. built into the hilly landscape, the structure engages in a consistent dialogue with its surroundings. the volumes are nestled on level ground and coverthree functions: tunnel control centre, central repair shop and road maintenance depot. their elongated positioning has been arranged in such a way that the contribute to noise protection in favor of the neighbouring residential areas.

the structure is characterized by a calm, pragmatic style. the architect’s aim was to stabilize the surrounding area, that is already dominated by suburban detached houses and commercial developments, with his reserved architectural language serving as a background for the heterogeneous neighbourhood. in addition to the areas of extensive roof and embankment greenery, the integrated construction materials of reinforced concrete, steel and industrial glass are used in order to protect the building from damage potentially be caused by the extreme winter weather the area experiences. outside of their practical application, these robust elements also define the appearance of the façade. in some more vulnerable sections of the complex, more resistant materials are used, for example, stainless steel in the washing bay because of its severe exposure to steam which ultimately causes corrosion.

green roofs follow the course of the network of streets, with existing earth banks the site and neighbouring plot, already heaped up for tunnel construction. these are only partially rearranged and form a new topography of the land in combination with the roofs. the edges of the roofs and earth banks are at the same height. seen from the country road, the impression is one of having parts of the landscape in front of you. the eye ranges over the green roof surfaces to the graz basin.

the complex is built into the land in such a way that green roofs and earth banks are at the same height

image © jasmin schuller

robust materials such as concrete and steel are used in the construction to resist the harsh weather the area experiences in the winterimage © jasmin schuller

image © jasmin schuller

approach from the road demonstrating the architecture’s reserved language as the building blends into its surroundingsimage © jasmin schuller

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