The Grünanger was a labour camp built in the wake of the Second World War. Since the 1960s, the site has been transformed into a low-density residential area with 1-2 storey buildings. At present, the area is situated near the newly designed local recreational area along the Mur River, enclosed by densely developed residential and urban structures.
As a result, the municipal residential area, owned by the city of Graz, provides space for speculation. Considering the political field of tension surrounding the site, the complexity of the competition of ideas consists of developing a future-oriented concept that considers the different interests and requirements of the green area. In doing so, the focus lies on the area of tension regarding the social preservation of the existing meadow, the shortage of social housing in conjunction with the valuable resource being land, the ecological idea and the treatment of the historical monument.
Are existing buildings to be redensified or added to, and is the status quo to be conserved or improved? Alternatively, should new buildings be erected? How does one approach the historical traces and the monument? In what way can landmarked structures or parts of buildings be integrated into the new concept? And how can the Grünanger be preserved as a green oasis in the middle of the city?
The deliberately open-ended nature of the task encourages particularly creative and innovative approaches to solutions.

IATh | Institute of Architecture Technology, Professorship Wood
DI Bettina Gossak-Kowalski und DI Stephan Brugger
Rechbauerstraße 12/I
8010 Graz
Tel: +43 (316) 873 – 6814, 6818