DAS ARTMANN as a showcase project for “Raus aus Gas”
DAS ARTMANN was nominated by the City of Vienna as one of 100 showcase projects as part of the “Raus aus Gas” initiative, demonstrating once again what forward-looking renovation of existing buildings can look like.
A Pioneer of Vienna’s Energy Transition in Existing Buildings
The “Raus aus Gas” initiative has a clear goal: the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels in Vienna’s existing building stock. The fact that our historic preservation project at Obere Donaustraße 19 has been highlighted as one of 100 projects confirms our commitment to consistently pursuing sustainable and future-proof solutions, even in complex retrofit projects.
River Water as a Source of Energy
The centerpiece of DAS ARTMANN’s energy concept lies right on its doorstep: the Danube Canal. An innovative water-source heat pump system harnesses the river water as a natural energy source. In winter, it is used to heat the 75 apartments and 4 office spaces; in summer, the same system provides efficient cooling—entirely without fossil fuels. This aquathermal system also supplies hot water year-round.
After use, the extracted water is returned to the Danube Canal via an underground pipeline approximately 100 meters long. This creates a sustainable, local energy cycle that makes optimal use of available resources while protecting the environment.
The system is supplemented by a rooftop photovoltaic system with a capacity of approximately 65 kWp, which further significantly reduces the heat pumps’ energy consumption. Combined with a smart control system for heating, cooling, and ventilation, the result is a holistic energy system that is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Measurable Impact
The results speak for themselves: Thanks to the comprehensive revitalization and the innovative energy concept, CO₂ emissions were reduced by approximately 58% compared to demolition and new construction. At the same time, heating demand has decreased by approximately 35.7 kWh/m²a compared to the unrenovated building—a significant contribution to decarbonization in an urban context.
Preserving Historic Sites Meets Climate Protection
It is particularly noteworthy that this transformation was carried out in a historic building dating from 1866. While complying with all regulations, the historic exposed-brick facade was preserved, and the building was brought up to modern technical standards.
Triple-glazed windows, thermally optimized exterior walls in the annexes, and decentralized ceramic heat exchangers in the apartments further ensure a high level of living comfort and energy efficiency.
Our Mission
Since the project began, our goal has been not only to create high-quality living spaces but also to set new standards for sustainable project development in existing buildings. Being recognized as a showcase project by the City of Vienna—along with the upcoming “klimaaktiv” Gold certification—is a confirmation for us that we are on the right track.
DAS ARTMANN demonstrates how historic architecture, modern technology, and sustainable energy supply can be combined into a comprehensive, future-oriented concept.
Here you can find more information about the energy system at ARTMANN:
https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/vorzeigeprojekt-obere-donaustrasse
Here you can find the brochure featuring the 100 selected “Raus aus Gas” projects:
https://www.wien.gv.at/pdf/ma20/raus-aus-gas-projekte.pdf
