Maria Hilferstrasse

The city of Vienna is undertaking a large-scale redevelopment of its most important shopping area; the Mariahilferstrasse. The 1.6 km long street, leading from the Westbahnhof to the Museum Quarter, will be adapted to the needs of pedestrians, bicycles by closing the street for ongoing traffic. The heart of the Mariahilferstrasse will become a pedestrian zone.

Bureau B+B and Orso-Pitro won the international design competition with a proposal for a light granite paved shared space. The design aims to provide maximum space for pedestrians, cyclists and recreational places in the street.

The Mariahilferstrasse will be paved from façade to façade in a one level pavement, including very subtle guiding lines for the different user groups. In this way the street will become a mixed zone, while offering everyone a place to feel comfortable. Several clusters of modular furniture provide areas for meeting and recreation in the street. The introduction of several water mirrors and a continuous water line connect the various places into one unity.

The furniture is designed in such a way that they can be placed in various configurations and by that creates lounge areas in the street. The different modules, as well as the pavement are made from Austrian granite with seating’s of oak wood. Colorful trees placed in large planters add an extra layer to the existing high trees in the street profile and by that create an intimate character.

The configurations of furniture will provide areas for meeting and recreation in the street. In this way a safe and friendly atmosphere is created in which there is also space for leisure and relaxation alongside shopping and enjoying a drink on a terrace.