This text describes the growth of Austria’s largest Science Interaction Center, located in Vienna’s Wollzeile. Here’s a breakdown of the key information:
The Project:
Goal: To create a space that arouses curiosity, encourages exchange, and promotes inspiration in science.
Location: Wollzeile, Vienna, in a renovated and adapted listed building (the old auditorium).
Purpose: To serve as a center for knowledge transfer were society and science meet.
Target Audience: Primarily young people and young adults (school and vocational training).
Features: interactive exhibitions, events, flexible exhibition areas, workshop rooms, do-it-yourself laboratories, and a discourse theater.
Capacity: Expected to attract around 70,000 visitors annually.
Completion date: 2027.
Total Cost: Approximately 17 million euros. Funding:
Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF): 11.3 million euros.
Federal Ministry of Education (BMB): 4 million euros.
BIG (Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft): remaining funds. Partners: A joint project by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), the University of Vienna, and the Technical University of Vienna.These institutions have formed a dedicated company for the center’s future operation.
Design and renovation:
Architect: Mohr-Niklas architect architecture firm.
Key Design Elements:
Urban passage from Wollzeile to Bäckerstraße.
Redesign of the forecourt in Wollzeile.
Low-threshold entrance to the Science Communication Center.
Renovation Approach: Resource-friendly, maintaining and expanding existing building technology systems and surfaces.
Significance and Vision:
“A strong signal for science and society.”
“Austria’s largest Science communication Center.”
“Open the science towards the population.”
“Awaken curiosity about research in walking past and thus invite you to linger for a long time.”
“Inspire children and young adults early on for science and research.”
“An open space in which science becomes tangible,relevant and inspiring for young people.”
“Science should not take place behind closed doors, but in the middle of life, accessible to everyone.”
“The place to be’, where future visions can arise.”
Key Voices and Their Perspectives:
Christine Dornaus (Managing Director of the Federal real Estate Society): Highlights the historical significance of the building and its conversion to inspire young people for a “reflective and awake life.”
Heinz Faßmann (President of the ÖAW): Emphasizes opening science to the public and sparking curiosity.
Sebastian Schütze (Rector of the University of Vienna): Notes the project’s meaningful signaling effect for Austria and the collaboration of major science institutions.
Jens Schneider (Rector of the Technical University of Vienna): Focuses on making science tangible, relevant, and inspiring, and the symbolic opening of science to the public.
Christopher Lindinger (Project Manager and Managing Director of the Science Communication Center): Sees it as a unique possibility to create a space for thinking and dialog.
in essence, the text announces a significant investment and collaborative effort to create a modern, engaging hub for science communication in Vienna, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and the general public, with a particular focus on inspiring younger generations.
