The European Patent Office building in Vienna has undergone a comprehensive renovation by Austrian firm ATP architekten ingenieure, transforming a 1970s office structure into a modern, sustainable workspace. The project, dubbed the "Vienna Green Hub," represents a significant achievement in sustainable architecture and demonstrates the potential for existing buildings to be transformed into energy-positive structures.

The European Patent Office is an extensive intergovernmental organization employing more than 6,000 staff members. Since the turn of the millennium, the office has been located in Vienna on a site south of the city center, situated in close proximity to the two Belvedere palaces. The location is particularly noteworthy as it occupies grounds where the former Military Pharmaceutical Directorate once stood before being demolished to make way for the current office complex.

The renovation project was exemplary from its inception, as the Patent Office's real estate department made the forward-thinking decision to opt for a comprehensive renovation of the existing office building rather than constructing an entirely new structure. Following a competitive process in 2021, ATP architekten ingenieure was awarded the contract. The firm collaborated closely with its group company ATP sustain throughout the planning and implementation phases.

The renovation process involved stripping the building down to its reinforced concrete structure, creating essentially a raw shell that was then completely rebuilt from the inside out. The elongated building features a comb-like structure with four regular floors plus a stepped penthouse level. ATP integrated a new atrium with central circulation, maintaining publicly accessible areas on the ground floor while relocating the cafeteria and several event spaces to the rooftop structure, which includes a surrounding terrace.

One of the most significant environmental benefits of this renovation approach was the substantial reduction in carbon emissions. According to ATP, preserving the existing structural framework resulted in approximately 50 percent less CO2 emissions compared to what would have been generated by new construction. This dramatic reduction underscores the environmental value of adaptive reuse in architectural projects.

The building's energy systems represent cutting-edge sustainable technology. The most notable feature is the wooden facade integrated with photovoltaic panels, which works in conjunction with additional PV modules installed on the roof and a battery storage system. This comprehensive renewable energy setup enables the Patent Office to meet its complete electricity needs independently. The building also incorporates a heat pump system for efficient climate control.

Looking at the project's long-term environmental impact, ATP projects that the building could potentially function as a carbon sink over its entire lifecycle due to these innovative sustainability measures. This achievement would represent a significant milestone in sustainable building design, where a structure actually removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it contributes.

The interior design reflects modern office standards with a mix of individual workspaces and larger open collaborative areas. Each floor includes conference rooms, focus boxes for concentrated work, and tea kitchens for staff convenience. The circulation areas feature terrazzo flooring that creates a mineral character throughout the building, while areas near the facade allow occupants to experience the natural wooden character of the exterior envelope.

The building's location offers views of the adjacent monastery garden, behind which lies the palace park, creating a serene working environment despite the urban setting. This renovation project serves as a compelling example of how existing buildings can be transformed to meet contemporary needs while achieving exceptional environmental performance standards.