In collaboration with SORAVIA, CMb.industries applied for the former coffin production factory in the 23rd district in 2017 and was awarded the contract by the Vienna Housing Fund. In the course of this, a utilization concept was developed, an architectural competition was announced and carried out and interim management was assumed. The ground-breaking ceremony for the extension took place in January 2023.
Excerpts from the concept
Liesing is flourishing. In the midst of new residential areas, schools and kindergartens lies a silent witness to days long past: the former coffin factory. It is high time to turn its position away from death and towards life. From 1968 to 2013, coffins were manufactured in the former machine box and wooden goods factory in Breitenfurter Straße. After its closure, only a few parts remained in use. As an interim use, vacant areas were used for cultural events. The listed building comprises office and storage space, former staff apartments and production halls as well as a water tower and currently has a total usable area of around 4,000m2. This is now being carefully revitalized in accordance with the preservation order.
But if you want to shape the future, you have to look to the past. In the development of brownfields, the treasures of history should be carefully salvaged in order to carefully transition the area into its next evolutionary step. In the case of exceptional buildings, of which the coffin factory is undoubtedly one, as much of the substance as possible should be preserved in accordance with the preservation order. Above all, the characteristic functional layout of the building should remain comprehensible. The current use of the Sargfabrik as an event location should be largely retained and supplemented with other uses, such as catering areas, offices, workshops, rehearsal rooms, etc. In the transformation of the listed property, the focus is on the targeted promotion, participation and involvement of the existing and emerging environment. Only the lively diversity of possible uses and their establishment guarantee the successful repositioning of this architectural jewel for different population groups.
Architectural competition
In an architectural competition chaired by Prof. Wolf D. Prix from Coop Himmelb(l)au, the design by Shibukawa Eder Architects came out on top. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in 2023.
