Parking garage in Linz: Green facade with Webnet
Initial situation and concept:
The new parking building on the Johannes Kepler University campus in Linz was designed by Viennese architects querkraft and offers around 550 parking spaces on six levels. The multi-story parking lot replaces the parking facilities lost due to the construction of the "House of Schools." The compact form and open design of the parking garage blend harmoniously into the surroundings. The construction project was completed in 2024.
The green facade is a special feature: The stainless steel Webnet serves as a trellis structure for various climbing plants. As the plants grow, the facade will be covered with green vegetation in no time at all. Additional trellis structures on the roof create a green pergola.
Construction and implementation:
The stainless steel mesh Webnet is used to implement the facade greening. In total, Jakob Rope Systems installed around 2,800 square meters of net with a mesh size of 120 mm and 340 square meters with a mesh size of 40 mm. The nets are made of 2 mm thick stainless steel ropes and are held in place by 8 mm edge ropes.
The structural analysis of the Webnet elements and ropes was also carried out by Jakob Rope Systems. The stainless steel mesh serves both as a climbing aid for the greenery and as fall protection. The pergola design on the top floor posed a particular challenge. Here, Jakob Rope Systems realized a smooth transition of the mesh width from 120 mm to 40 mm (without additional suspension ropes or substructure) to prevent climbing over.
Additional climbing poles were installed in front of the stainless steel mesh over the entire height of the building to provide a stable climbing aid for the fast-growing wisteria. The other lighter climbing plants use the Webnet as a trellis structure so that the facade is transformed into a green envelope over time.
The modular steel skeleton construction of the parking garage allows for flexibility and robustness. The open, green facade provides natural ventilation and contributes to sustainable integration into the surrounding landscape. Rainwater seeps into swales and soil filter basins, which meets the requirements of the water protection area.
Jakob products and services:
Specialist planning, delivery, installation of the climbing structure made of Webnet and stainless steel ropes
Webnet, mesh size 120 mm, diameter 2 mm, total installed area 2800 square meters
Webnet, mesh size 40 mm, diameter 2 mm, total installed area 340 square meters
Edge ropes, diameter 8 mm, 6x7+WC, total 1600 m (with end fittings)
Project partners:
Architecture: querkraft Architects
Building owner: JKU Betriebs- und Vermietungs- GmbH
Construction company: ARGE Habau / Swietelsky
Project management: Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG)
Metal construction: Oberhofer Stahlbau GmbH
Exterior landscaping: Kieran Fraser Landscape Design
Trellis structures: Jakob Rope Systems / Seilerei Wüstner
Photos: Hertha Hurnaus / querkraft Architects
