Cohousing Architecture in Vienna: Quartiershaus am Stadtbalkon by feld72

Redefining Urban Living through Cohousing Architecture

The Quartiershaus am Stadtbalkon in Vienna exemplifies a modern, inclusive approach to urban residential design through the lens of cohousing architecture. Designed by feld72 and completed in 2023, this 3,500 m² development introduces innovative residential typologies that accommodate a wide range of living arrangements, particularly outside the traditional family unit.

Located in a dense urban context, the project is composed of two interconnected buildings: the cluster house by feld72 and the cooperative house by transparadiso. The buildings are linked by a ground-floor urban base zone that supports commercial activity and a semi-public "urban balcony" that functions as a shared open space above.

Architectural Approach: Cluster Living for New Social Models

The architectural language of the Quartiershaus is guided by the principle of community-oriented living. Within the cluster house, feld72 created three distinct residential clusters. These clusters combine individual studios—each equipped with private bathrooms and compact kitchenettes—with large communal kitchens and shared living spaces. This design fosters interaction, mutual support, and flexibility, creating a contemporary version of flatshare communities tailored for diverse household compositions.

This cohousing architecture model offers alternatives to traditional apartment layouts, responding to evolving urban demographics such as single professionals, elderly individuals, and chosen families. The arrangement balances privacy and collectivity, allowing residents to enjoy autonomy within a supportive, shared environment.

The Urban Base Zone: A Catalyst for Collective Enterprise

At the ground level, the city base zone accommodates commercial and entrepreneurial uses. This active frontage includes retail, office, and workshop spaces designed for shared infrastructure. The goal is to foster a collaborative atmosphere where businesses and creatives can operate in a flexible, innovative setting.

By integrating workspaces into the residential block, the design challenges conventional zoning practices and reinvents mixed-use architecture as a cohesive, collaborative ecosystem. The urban base zone not only energizes the street level but also encourages community engagement across both private and professional domains.

Semi-Public Realm: The Connecting Urban Balcony

An elevated “urban balcony” links the two residential buildings above the city base zone. This semi-public platform acts as a social bridge, connecting private and communal areas while reinforcing visual and physical relationships across the complex. The urban balcony enables casual interactions, organized events, and collective gardening, thus extending the indoor cohousing experience into the open air.

This space exemplifies how thoughtful architectural interventions can create urban micro-communities that resist isolation, even in dense metropolitan environments.

A Model for Future Urban Cohousing Developments

Quartiershaus am Stadtbalkon sets a precedent for future urban cohousing architecture by skillfully blending spatial innovation, social sustainability, and architectural clarity. The interplay between individual and collective realms, commercial and residential programs, and private and public zones demonstrates a resilient model for urban growth.

feld72’s design not only reimagines housing but also redefines how we work, live, and connect in contemporary cities. The project proves that architecture can respond meaningfully to social shifts while maintaining environmental and spatial integrity.

All the photographs are works of Hertha Hurnaus