FIRST FUTURE LAB

Location Analysis
The new concept of the community center is situated in the broader center of Vienna, in a district with a large immigrant population and only 2% green spaces. This is surprisingly little for a green Vienna. Close to the community center, there are student dormitories. Another significant group of residents consists of seniors. Opposite the future center is a small park with a church and a tram stop, which in itself means an excellent location for a space intended for people to meet – especially the residents of the neighborhood.

Current State
The existing space is divided into two parts – a front area and a raised back area half a floor up, which are connected by a narrow neck with a direct staircase. In designing, we asked ourselves how to eliminate the height and optical barrier between them, so that the space entices the visitor to go further. How to turn this weakness into an advantage? Gradually, based on analyses of the existing spaces, further demographic surveys of the neighborhood, and ideas about community, the basic concept of an abstract landscape permeating the space emerged, seamlessly connecting both parts.

Concept
It is an experimental space in which financial services are perceived differently, unusually, and are part of the concept of community life in the district. Maximum flexibility allows for diverse uses of the space.
The inspiration for creating the architectural concept was the story "Trip to the Austrian Alps." Therefore, the foothills of the mountains form a lounge with refreshments, the journey continues through a constricted canyon space with a streambed, and the elevated back part of the interior represents the destination – the horizon with mountain peaks.
And because of the typical Austrian passion for ecology, the interior is also designed from ecological materials. It is a combination of natural-based materials such as wood and 100% recyclable materials certified as "Cradle-to-cradle," such as BUZZI FELT.

Functional Arrangement/Flexibility
The space is divided into three zones. In the front, there are two: a self-service zone with ATMs and a night safe, and a lounge with a self-service café, where communication between the advisor and the client is less formal. The third zone at the back consists of individual themed kiosks (advisory workstations) where financial services and "Concierge" services are provided. The space also serves activities like "Creative Mornings." In the evening, due to its flexibility and facilities, the space changes according to the type of activity (for example, small theatrical performances by children from art schools, meetings for seniors, wine tastings, jazz concerts, etc.)