Five glass noise barriers along the heavily trafficked Margarethen ring road in Vienna provide good protection to the apartment buildings built in the 50’s and their grassy courtyards from the thunderous traffic. With a total length of about 150 meters and 18 meters in height, this new construction fits in harmoniously with the adjacent buildings.

The winning project of an architecture competition provides an exemplary solution and improves the living quality of the occupants by means of the use of partially transparent STADIP laminated safety glass. The reduction in noise of 23 decibels is perceived as a reduction to one fifth of the original noise level. The illumination of the apartments and their sight down to the street is hardly affected.

The preservation of the vegetation and the tree population enhances the peaceful character of the courtyards. This aspect was close to the hearts of the developers when accounting for city ecology. For this reason, the Viennese Environmental Protection Agency (WUA) were involved and paid particular attention to a demonstrable effectiveness against bird impact.

The designer took on this challenge with dedication and passion for detail, solving it by developing a project specific ceramic screen print design using SERALIT LITEX. Contemporary patterns were consciously avoided. The design of the pattern used was based on knowledge regarding bird protection measures. Obvious vertical stripes horizontally broken and applied to both sides of the glass create a three dimensional effect and improve cognition.

Two different patterns were used in an alternating manner which divide the facade up like a chess board. One pattern on the courtyard side of the glass has a higher percentage of coverage than on the street side. This creates a kind of funnel-shaped pattern with improved through vision for the occupants.

The two parallel levels of offset STADIP laminated safety glass provide a cornice-like structure in the facade surface. The 3 meter high sheets of glass are sealed at their vertical edges to maintain the noise deadening effect.

Walkways for cleaning and maintenance are integrated on the courtyard side. For better orientation, different colours signal the access ways from the street into the courtyards.

The project, which was finished in 2007, is exemplary for improved living quality through efficient noise control whilst effectively integrating ecological aspects into modern architecture.

Photos: © Andreas Buchberger (01-05), © Martin Steinkellner (06-10)
Sketches: © Treusch architecture: Andreas Treusch