Urban Green Island

Urban Green Island 

OpenFields

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

ARCHITECTS
Openfields

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Mark Balzar, Zeynep Aksöz

DESIGN TEAM
Xavier Madden

STRUCTURAL CONSULTANTS
Werkraum Ingenieure Zt Gmbh

GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Werkstudio Perco

PHOTOGRAPHS
Flavio Palasciano

AREA
50 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Vienna, Austria

CATEGORY
Installations & Structures

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

Text description provided by architect.

The Summerstage, located in Vienna's Museum Quarter, redefines public space as an evolving platform that adapts to both social and climatic conditions.

More than just a stage for performances, it is an inclusive urban island, transforming a previously overlooked transit zone into a welcoming and versatile environment.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

It serves as a resting place for the homeless, a vibrant gathering spot for diverse communities, and a stage for events ranging from Pride performances and DJ sets to philosophical discussions and literary readings.

By fostering coexistence, it challenges conventional urban design, encouraging shared experiences across different social groups.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

One of the biggest challenges in realizing the project was the extremely short timeline—only three months for design, development, and construction.

To navigate this constraint, we developed a parametric design-to-fabrication system, allowing real-time design updates while automatically generating fabrication drawings for the steel manufacturer.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

This ensured a seamless transition from concept to realization while maintaining precision and efficiency.

The stage is structured into three distinct zones: an urban garden where fruits and vegetables grow seasonally, inviting public participation; a meadow with tall grasses, offering a sense of nature within the city; and an intimate stage that encourages spontaneous gatherings and performances.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

By integrating greenery into the urban fabric, the project promotes environmental awareness while enhancing public well-being.

Constructed from a lightweight steel framework combined with wooden elements, the stage was designed for durability and adaptability.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano

Budget constraints influenced the implementation of certain sustainable features, such as solar panels and self-sustaining irrigation, which have been reserved for future upgrades.

However, the project successfully demonstrates how modular design and careful material choices can create a lasting impact within limited resources.

Urban Green Island
© Flavio Palasciano
Urban Green Island
Plan

The Summerstage embodies an open, flexible design strategy that merges digital precision with traditional craftsmanship. It is not a static object but an evolving structure that fosters interaction, sustainability, and community engagement.

By transforming an underutilized plaza into a vibrant space of exchange, it offers an alternative vision for urban resilience—one that prioritizes inclusivity and shared experiences in the heart of the city.

Urban Green Island
Final Plans


Urban Green Island
Discussion Setup Layout
Urban Green Island
Concert Setup Layout
Urban Green Island
Book Presentation Layout
Urban Green Island
Elements


Urban Green Island
Elevation A
Urban Green Island
Elevation B