A three story rooftop extension was added to an existing Wilhe lminian-times house

Renovation is not an easy task considering you must take care to conserve the urban landscape and the area’s soul. But even harder is to heighten an existing building without damaging the general view of the area. This is why the architects from Josef Weichenberger Architects made a very good job with the renovation and heightening of While Iminian-times house, a bulding situated on Margaretenstrase 9, in Vienna.

The constructors added three stores gathering spacious apartments and a maisonette. The design of this new part of the building was inspired from the shape of the irregular five-street-intersection of Operngasse and Margaretenstrase, the exact place where this building is situated. So the new top is created from a complex set of geometric reference grids, following the five streets directions. The design is not fragmented, the top’s unity and elegance being given by a structure of 3-dimensional ribbon.

The building’s design is completed by the upper’s floors facades, made of glass. The most amazing thing about this architecture is that it gathers two different styles, without creating an esthetic rupture. The old building is classical and the top floors are very modern, but they seem to merge together in a beautiful unique design. The construction’s area is 1250 sqm and the construction was made between 2010 and 2012. The building’s position also offers a great view. The upper floors tenants will feel the advantages of an open space building with clear glass walls and terraces.{pics by Erika Mayer and found on archdaily}.