WKO IMMOBILIE
Renovation of an office building in the European quarter into an 'Austrian house'.Team ︎︎︎ ALTSTADT icw Dietrich Untertrifaller, ELD, Viereck, Bollinger+Grohmann
Phase ︎︎︎ Completed
Surface ︎︎︎ 8.000m²
Budget ︎︎︎ 6.180.000€
____________________________________
The Austrian Economy House is a transformation project for the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), developed in collaboration with Dietrich Untertrifaller, ELD partnership, and Bollinger Grohmann. The existing Crystalbuilding, designed by Philippe Samyn and located near the Schuman roundabout, will become a permanent representation and meeting place for Austrian businesses in Brussels.
The ground floor will be opened up to create a direct connection with the garden, which will serve as a space for informal meetings, receptions, and events. A Wiener café and an exhibition area will reinforce the building’s function as a hub for economic and cultural exchange.
![]()
The first floor will accommodate a lobby, auditorium, and boardroom, while the upper levels will provide office spaces for WKO and Austrian companies. The core will be restructured with integrated facilities, including storage, kitchens, and seating areas, all wrapped in walnut wood paneling extending from the ground floor to the roof.
![]()
Sustainability is central to the project. In a second phase, the building will be disconnected from fossil fuels, and the façade will be upgraded with integrated solar panels. The passive energy systems will be relocated to the basement, reducing parking space in favor of technical infrastructure.
The top floor, currently a technical space, will be transformed into an auditorium with a boardroom on the level below. A void will connect both spaces, leading to a south-facing terrace with panoramic views over the European district. A lightweight wooden structure will define the new top floor, integrating solar panels into its design.
![]()
The top floor, currently a technical space, will be transformed into an auditorium with a boardroom on the level below. A void will connect both spaces, leading to a south-facing terrace with panoramic views over the European district. A lightweight wooden structure will define the new top floor, integrating solar panels into its design.
This transformation establishes a future-proof and flexible environment for Austrian enterprises, reinforcing their presence in Brussels while setting new standards for sustainability and architectural quality.
