The Graz Nebelzone is characterized by a diverse mix of uses, populations, and a high degree of heterotopic intensity. Within this dynamic interplay of fusion and mediation, the vacant silos of the Taggerwerke present an opportunity to bring together cultural production and the local community at an identity-forming space for productivity and learning in the south of Graz.

The site is transformed into a publicly accessible space, offering sports and recreational facilities for the neighborhood. To the north, adjacent workshop courtyards provide room for open workspaces and collaborative creation.

The existing structures are reduced to the silo buildings, with large-scale openings at the ground level, allowing for a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces. At the heart of the silo towers, the mixing facility functions as a flexible, multi-purpose venue, accommodating events, exhibitions, and markets. It serves as a circulation hub, gathering space, and central meeting point of the new Taggerwerk.

Distinctive staircases lead up into the atelier, exhibition, and reading areas within the towers. The front-facing beacon tower, with its translucent façade, invites visitors inside. In parallel, the exhibition tower, showcasing works produced on-site, provides access to the studios and communal workspaces.

The public space extends vertically, integrating shared work and reading areas, ensuring low-threshold access to spaces of creativity, culture, and education for all.

The building volume is divided into three parts. The base, which adapts to the adjacent railroad line in terms of height and materiality and at the same time divides the open space into a workshop and forecourt. This serves as a link to the city and functions as an impulse for the quarter north of the main station. The horizontal structure takes up the edges of the neighboring buildings. The high point generates a superordinate reference to the opposite side of the track bed and shapes Hannover's cityscape.

An interwoven first floor and second floor are accessible to the public. Via the foyer, a partially open fundus, flexibly usable stage structures and the Werkhof, visitors are offered various insights into the facets of the play and the associated constructed illusion.

The high point houses the university's internal uses. In addition to the administration and seminar rooms, studio stages and rehearsal rooms are located there. Galleries with additional access enable visual relationships between the floors and promote communication among the students.

The different uses of both building volumes are connected by the red-pigmented concrete façade based on the floor-to-ceiling plinth, whose color scheme is based on North German brick. The interplay of open and closed façade elements in the high point is accentuated by isolated disturbances. The round window, for example, reflects the elevated studio stage to the outside. Towards the railroad tracks, a projection takes over the function of the electricity pylon and thus integrates excellently into the urban situation.

The horizontal volume is structured by a vertical division. By means of recesses in the facades, the appearance also varies during the course of the day due to a changing cast of shadows.

The design makes use of the advantages of the open block edge, such as noise protection, the separation of the public and private spheres, and also creates a “campus character": a dynamic frequency that allows and encourages encounters.

The work begins with the question of how storage processes in a library can function and what things need to be stored. It draws upon the efficiency of computer storage systems. Computer storage operates based on a strictly hierarchical system, such as RAM: fast access, low capacity; and hard drives: slower access, high capacity (Top-Down).

The three newly created libraries adopt this system, organizing vertically within the former silo structures. The higher one ascends, the more subdivided the workspaces become, and the quieter the learning atmosphere. Likewise, the types and capacities of the book collections change. The principle of hierarchy faces a new counterpoint, particularly evident in the urban planning and the distribution of uses: the principle of heterarchy. This principle is primarily characterized by equal, parallel, and horizontal processes (Bottom-Up). Under this principle, physical objects are not stored, but rather experiences and memories from interactions between people.

New replacement buildings are constructed on the north and south sides of the Taggerwerke, forming a new ensemble. These buildings will host events, performances, exhibitions, and workshops.

The new ensemble is connected through several porticoes, which visually and materially link the different parts of the complex. Through these, one enters the Hortus of the facility, which also serves as a distributor to all ground-floor spaces. The newly created public sports facilities on the rooftops are accessed via city stairs, which extend outside the porticoes as visible towers along the outer walls of the silos.

Transit to Memory aims to explore the storage of knowledge and the storage of moments, along with their coexistence, interrelation, and mutual dependency.

The work begins with the question of how storage processes in a library can function and what things need to be stored. It draws upon the efficiency of computer storage systems. Computer storage operates based on a strictly hierarchical system, such as RAM: fast access, low capacity; and hard drives: slower access, high capacity (Top-Down).

The three newly created libraries adopt this system, organizing vertically within the former silo structures. The higher one ascends, the more subdivided the workspaces become, and the quieter the learning atmosphere. Likewise, the types and capacities of the book collections change. The principle of hierarchy faces a new counterpoint, particularly evident in the urban planning and the distribution of uses: the principle of heterarchy. This principle is primarily characterized by equal, parallel, and horizontal processes (Bottom-Up). Under this principle, physical objects are not stored, but rather experiences and memories from interactions between people.

New replacement buildings are constructed on the north and south sides of the Taggerwerke, forming a new ensemble. These buildings will host events, performances, exhibitions, and workshops.

The new ensemble is connected through several porticoes, which visually and materially link the different parts of the complex. Through these, one enters the Hortus of the facility, which also serves as a distributor to all ground-floor spaces. The newly created public sports facilities on the rooftops are accessed via city stairs, which extend outside the porticoes as visible towers along the outer walls of the silos.

Transit to Memory aims to explore the storage of knowledge and the storage of moments, along with their coexistence, interrelation, and mutual dependency.

Formerly known as the Tagger Futter Werke, the current Taggerwerk with its decommissioned grain silos has evolved into a site for freelance artists, festival activities, and a vibrant graffiti scene. The Taggerwerk, with its 40-meter-high silo towers, stands as a landmark between the industrial area by the Mur river and the residential area.

The solid building structure of the Taggerwerk has allowed local operators to bring more life into the district through added uses such as bouldering and a fitness studio. However, the district’s character is mainly defined by its appropriation by various interest groups from the art, music, and graffiti scenes.

As part of a revitalization effort, the Taggerwerk is set to be sustainably activated. New uses, such as a library, gastronomy, and spaces for artistic expression, aim to strengthen and maintain the appeal of the existing district.

The core idea of the design aims to distribute the various uses to optimize synergy potential. Vibrant and louder uses, such as studios and exhibition spaces, are well-suited to be integrated with the gastronomy and event spaces in the new building part, the “Werkhalle”. In contrast, quieter uses, such as the library and workspaces, are accessed via stairs and reading landscapes, progressing from floor to floor to minimize noise from the Werkhalle.

Thus, the core of the new Taggerwerk remains a central interface for all uses within the building.

The new neighborhood library aims to activate the potential of the area, make education accessible to all, and establish a new anchor in the southern part of Graz. The goal is to provide the district with an urban gateway, as this industrial site has, until now, been somewhat of a dead zone in the city. Therefore, the workshop yard of the existing structure and the entire ground floor will be transformed into a urban park. Here, the people of Graz can relax without the pressure of consumerism, finding a patch of greenery amidst the asphalt.

The existing roof of the building becomes a new city roof, at the center of which a multi-functional event hall is freely accessible to all. Above this, the “market of opportunities” hosts open studios that also function as addresses and starting points for the practical education provided by the library. Through these studios, visitors can explore the different, thematically organized—but interconnected—sections of the library. The idea is to spark interest, gain hands-on experience, and then deepen that knowledge through books and scholarly study. This process unfolds as one ascends through the building.

Presentation areas alternate with reading spaces, each separated by ramps along which the books are displayed. All of these areas invite visitors to linger and engage in conversation. After all, encounters and personal discussions are the most effective mediums for the transfer of knowledge and experience.

Architecturally, the building transforms from a silo structure, with the charm of a high bunker, into a floating, light-filled city bookshelf, offering views of the city center of Graz, the surrounding nature, and a bright future.

The decommissioned feed silo complex is located in a highly heterogeneous district, characterized by a mix of industrial and commercial halls, studio spaces, residential buildings, and even single-family homes.

Fabian Helbig's design focuses on a respectful approach to the existing structure, aiming to preserve nearly the entire complex, including its previous adaptations. It will be refurbished and expanded in a way that enhances its already existing spatial qualities.

The existing hall structure between the buildings is interpreted as a gateway, providing the district with clear orientation. The ground floor to the second floor primarily accommodates district-based functions such as restaurants, cinemas, sports facilities (existing uses will also be maintained), and event spaces. The upper floors house the library, learning areas, workspaces, and lounges.

The building is zoned according to its context and typology. The side towers are interpreted as introverted and protective “book towers”, while the central block forms a bright and open contrast. To zone the building and scale it to the human level, the staircases are positioned at the intersection of the block and the towers, each offset by half a floor. The chamber structures will be preserved and used, for instance, as multifunctional rooms. Special areas such as administration, reading rooms, studios, and scholar apartments will be placed in the other towers and have different interfaces.

As the external appearance is to remain preserved, the building will be internally insulated with hollow concrete blocks, which will also serve as the support for the intermediate floors.