Collection center for recyclable materials, Schweinern

This center for recycling and waste management is a project of the community association for environmental protection of St. Pölten in Lower Austria, with one objective: to turn former rubbish-disposal areas into a user-friendly infrastructure for the collection and separation of recyclable materials in the local community, space that keeps our cities, towns and lives functioning like they should.
The project consists of two structures: wood and concrete service building – public area raised 1.70 m above the operational area, visually linked by a lower concrete wall. According to the building’s purpose and the client’s zero-waste approach, the choice of materials was done in the most ecological, resource-saving and low impact way possible, large parts are built as structures from laminated wood, safety areas are made of reinforced concrete with steel columns, whereas all the used insulation is ecological. Energy-efficient, solar-powered, green roof overhangs the structure creating shade, covered with vegetation collecting rainwater.
The operation’s logistics were the main design criteria. The main part of the building is of an open character, according to its function. The long horizontal structure mirrors the circulation of vehicles and processes of waste management, intuitively planned for maximum efficiency, essentially ensuring sufficient slots for the waste containers and uninterrupted traffic flow, so as manoeuvring area for operations. The collection containers are filled on site by the customers and afterwards transported away by the disposal company for further processing. To ensure weather protection for the groupage and the loading processes, the area of the collection containers is covered. The main façade towards the public area as well as the operation area is open and the managing office is thoughtfully integrated in the middle, enabling better overview of the processes. In separate areas are planned the disposal of oil, batteries, electrical and hazardous waste, furthermore the building is supplemented by a covered loading area for green waste and compost.