Architecture

Ikea plans car-free greenery-covered store

Ikea plans car-free greenery-covered store
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will integrate approximately 160 trees
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will integrate approximately 160 trees
View 4 Images
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will integrate approximately 160 trees
1/4
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will integrate approximately 160 trees
Ikea will occupy the lower four floors of the building, while a hostel will take up the upper two floors
2/4
Ikea will occupy the lower four floors of the building, while a hostel will take up the upper two floors
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will have no public parking facilities
3/4
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will have no public parking facilities
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof is due to be completed in 2021
4/4
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof is due to be completed in 2021
View gallery - 4 images

Ikea offers another example of the burgeoning greenery-covered architecture trend with its recently-revealed store planned for Austria. Representing a significant departure from the bland warehouses often associated with the furniture giant, the building will be covered in approximately 160 trees.

Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof is designed by local firm Querkraft Architekten and will be located in central Vienna. It will measure 21,600 sq m (232,500 sq ft) and feature a grid-like design likened to an oversized bookshelf.

"The conceptual idea of the architecture is based on a grid symbolizing a bookshelf, the green, flexibility, light and simplicity," explains the press release. "The transparent, welcoming building embraces daylight, works in harmony with the surroundings and adds an 'outside-in' approach. The facade grid allows a change of open and closed facade elements and takes care that trees can grow on every level. On every facade there will be vertical walls as well as open and light window spaces and light-flooded sections/areas."

Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will have no public parking facilities
Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof will have no public parking facilities

Ikea will occupy the lower four floors, while the upper two floors will include a hostel. A publicly-accessible rooftop garden will be located at the top of the building too.

The store will be centrally located and offer no public car parking spaces. Customers won't be required to lug their new furniture home on the subway however, as a new logistics center is also planned elsewhere in Vienna and will offer same-day delivery.

Ikea Vienna Westbahnhof is slated for BREEAM Excellent (a green building standard) and will include some degree of sustainable design, though we've no information yet on what this will entail, other than efficient ventilation systems and the greenery. The project is due to be completed in 2021.

Sources: Ikea, Querkraft Architekten

View gallery - 4 images
4 comments
4 comments
paul314
"a new logistics center is also planned elsewhere in Vienna and will offer same-day delivery" Aha. Because I've tried to move ikea stuff without a car, and it's not pretty.
BlueOak
Haha. So amusing to see IKEA beating its chest about anything "green".

IKEA, all by itself, is responsible for at least 75% of the broken and prematurely worn out "furniture" sitting at the curb on trash day.

When IKEA starts making durable, rather than throw-away dorm/first apartment furniture, they'll have some credibility on "green" endeavors.
ReservoirPup
@BlueOak - I've been using a dozen of various IKEA furniture items for 10 years, they still are ok after a few minor repairs. Only plastic chairs for kids broke. I think durability depends on us too
BlueOak
@ReservoirPup, well made furniture should last a log longer than 10 years. The fact remains, IKEA furniture tends to be flimsy vs more durable furniture - they don't get the price reduced by building it stronger. But, agreed, a big part of the problem *is us* - we are not willing to spend the money to buy proper, more durable furniture. We're a throw-away society.