STRABAG and EQUANS renovating central office of Austrian Pension Fund in Vienna
Work being carried out on existing building
Existing structural frame to remain completely intact
Completion planned for 2027
After more than 40 years of operation in Friedrich-Hillegeist-Straße in Vienna’s second district, the central and regional Viennese offices of the Austrian Pension Fund (Pensionsversicherungsanstalt, PVA) and the Centre for Outpatient Rehabilitation (PVA ZAR Wien) are undergoing extensive renovation due to signs of ageing such as leaking ceilings or poor thermal insulation. The technical services will be brought up to date and the building will be given an insulation retrofit, with particular attention paid to establishing an ecologically sustainable energy supply.
STRABAG and EQUANS emerged successful from the bidding process. Following the official handover of the construction site yesterday, work will start shortly, with completion scheduled for 2027.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this large order and that we’ve been given the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment with this project,” says Markus Engerth, division head and member of the management board of STRABAG AG Austria.
Existing reinforced concrete frame to remain intact PVA decided not to demolish the building and construct a new one, but to build on the existing structures as much as possible. The existing structural frame will therefore remain completely intact and, apart from repair work, no new steel or concrete will be used. Building on existing structures, in the form of reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment, is an important contribution to a sustainable future. A particular challenge will be the new envelope of the building consisting of an aluminium-glass façade being realised by STRABAG subsidiary Metallica. All materials here were carefully selected with a focus on their subsequent recyclability.
Bringing the existing building up to the latest standard also requires the modernisation of the building services equipment as well as the renovation of the roof and all rooftop structures.
Lower emissions thanks to state-of-the-art technology, photovoltaic systems and green roof Following the complete gutting of the building, the full spectrum of building services equipment will be brought up to date. This includes utilities lines, the power supply as well as the heating and cooling systems. A green roof with shaded areas, together with a special landscaping concept, will help to positively influence the urban microclimate, enhance the common areas and provide additional protection against overheating in summer.
About reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment at STRABAG Reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment are just a few examples of building on existing structures with a focus on the repair, renovation, modernisation or enlargement of existing buildings for new uses. Projects in this field take environmental, economic and social factors into account through the preservation of green spaces and by reducing CO2 emissions, for example. This requires craftsmanship and precision, supported by modern technologies such as 3D laser scans and drones for the detailed analysis of existing buildings. STRABAG is committed to providing a comprehensive set of solutions for the entire process and, as part of its PEOPLE. PLANET. PROGRESS strategy, is actively committed to a carbon-neutral future, for example through the sustainable reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment of existing buildings.
STRABAG SE is a European-based technology group for construction services, a leader in innovation and financial strength. Our activities span all areas of the construction industry and cover the entire construction value chain. We create added value for our clients by taking an end-to-end view of construction over the entire life cycle – from planning and design to construction, operation and facility management to redevelopment or demolition. In all of our work, we accept responsibility for people and the environment: We are shaping the future of construction and are making significant investments in our portfolio of more than 250 innovation and 400 sustainability projects. Through the hard work and dedication of our approximately 86,000 employees, we generate an annual output volume of around € 19 billion.
Our dense network of subsidiaries in various European countries and on other continents extends our area of operation far beyond the borders of Austria and Germany. Working together with strong partners, we are pursuing a clear goal: to design, build and operate construction projects in a way that protects the climate and conserves resources. More information is available at www.strabag.com
Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA) is Austria’s largest social insurance institution alongside Österreichische Gesundheitskasse. We are responsible for around 3.6 million insured persons and pay out over two million pensions. The timely payment of pensions is the most important service provided by PVA. Another key activity is the organisation of medical rehabilitation and preventive healthcare measures for both active insured persons and pensioners. For this purpose, PVA operates a total of 15 rehabilitation centres throughout Austria as well as two centres for outpatient rehabilitation in Graz and Vienna and maintains contracts with other rehabilitation facilities in Austria and abroad. Personal consultations on the various PVA services are offered in the customer centres of the nine regional offices or at one of the regularly held community consultation days. More information can be found at www.pv.at.
