As a throwback to the past summer semester, we look back on one of the practical design projects of the Design Workshop Hochbau.

Over two intensive workshop afternoons, students developed innovative concepts for the adaptive reuse of a traditional inn in Lower Austria. Their task was to transform the existing building into a vibrant combination of gastronomy, accommodation, and event spaces, while carefully evaluating which elements of the historic building fabric should be preserved from both cultural and sustainability perspectives.

Working on a real building and in close collaboration with the local municipality, students experienced firsthand how engineering and design can contribute to the revitalization of existing buildings and strengthen local communities. The workshop combined creative design with structural thinking, sustainability, and real-world constraints, providing valuable insights into the challenges of adaptive reuse.

For students interested in pursuing the MSc Green Building Engineering at BOKU University, Hochbau also serves as an important prerequisite course. It provides essential knowledge in architectural design and building fundamentals that form the basis for the interdisciplinary Master's programme.

The workshop is an excellent example of project-based learning, demonstrating how existing buildings can become laboratories for developing sustainable solutions for the built environment.