Rehabilitation of war-time buildings

The historic building stock and flats managed by WAG in Linz’s Bindermichl district have been modernised several times over the years and adapted to the requirements of contemporary living. Most recently, the buildings dating back to World War II were also thermally rehabilitated. The rehabilitation project now commenced, however, also includes life cycle-related measures to the benefit of the tenants.

Rehabilitation adds value

The contract includes the rehabilitation of a total of 159 flats. “On the three-storey buildings, we will attach loggias with a depth of 2.3 metres to the existing façade,” Construction Manager Robert Grundner says about work to be done on the courtyard side. The walls will mostly be executed in concrete. For this purpose, the existing flat window will be turned into doors. 

Additionally, construction also includes the creation of 50 new flats on the attic floor. “For this purpose, we will first remove the roof truss,” says Grundner. The materials removed will be submitted to the recycling process. Following this, the existing exterior walls in the courtyard will be bricked up by some three metres and dormers will be created to increase the size of the flats.” A positive side effect of these expansion efforts is the fact that the buildings will receive a fourth floor. This also means that 25 lifts have to be retrofitted to the complex. This would not have made economic sense with the previous threestorey layout, according to the housing development association. From the lifts, the flats will be accessed via the protruding loggias. Much to the satisfaction of many tenants, this also allows for barrier-free access to all four floors.

“It’s great to see how an approximately 80-years old building is modernised and adapted to the requirements of modern living”, according to Grundner. As a special requirement for such rehabilitation measures, however, a great deal of manual skill and tact on the part of the skilled workers is also a prerequisite.

The use of sound insulation tension rods thermally decouples the protruding loggias, reducing heating costs.

The top floor’s expansion creates some 50 new flats.

The top floor’s expansion creates some 50 new flats.

The top floor’s expansion creates some 50 new flats.

The top floor’s expansion creates some 50 new flats.

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