BEHF Ebner Hasenauer Ferenczy ZT GmbH

Telegraf 7

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

TELEGRAF 7

BEHF Architects

ARCHITECTS
BEHF Architects

RESTORERS COLLABORATOR
Team akademischer Restauratoren

HEAD OF DESIGN
Armin Ebner

CURTAINS COLLABORATOR
Kohlmaier Gesmbh

PROJECT MANAGER
Ramin Maschayechi

PLANNING
Ellen Gehrke, Samuel Netocny, Ingo Hartmann

LIGHTING DESIGN COLLABORATOR
Desingbüro Christian Ploderer GmbH

PLANNING OF FURNITURES COLLABORATOR
PFAU Objekteinrichtung u. Innenraumgestaltung

MANUFACTURERS
Erco, FSB, Flaminia, Moooi

PHOTOGRAPHS
Hertha Hurnaus

AREA
6500.0 m2

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Lehargasse 7, 1060 Wien, Austria

CATEGORY
Offices, Renovation, Store

BEHF Architects has received five prestigious architecture awards for the Telegraf 7 project, a former telephone exchange of the K. u. K. Post- und Telegrafendirektion (postal and telegraphic administration) in Vienna.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

The “best architects 18 Award” in the category “Interior Design”, the Iconic Award 2017 in the “Architecture” category, the German Design Award 2018 in the “Architecture” category, and two additional awards in the categories “Architectural Design / Heritage Architecture” and “Restoration & Renovation”.

Not only had the integral design of the listed building, which BEHF created in cooperation with the client JP Immobilien, made an excellent impression on the jury—the jurors were also convinced by their outstanding architectural achievements.

" It was our aim to connect the two historical halls and to create offices with highly modern infrastructure in the middle of the existing historical environment.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

The awards confirm that we were more successful than expected,” says Daniel Jelitzka, founding partner and managing director at JP Immobilien a Viennese real estate group.

Armin Ebner of BEHF Architects describes the concept: „The room itself is already a great experience due to its impressive height, ceiling frescoes, and pilasters,” he says.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

“An additional highlight are two office areas that seem to be removed, appearing almost spherical. It is the contrast which makes the appearance and atmosphere so special.”

The architectural centre is an elaborate room-in-room construction with two minimalistic “boxes” that seem to be completely detached from the existing historical inventory:

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

Opulent telegraph halls featuring stucco restored true to the original, and colourful wall paintings.

As a result, the historical fabric remains unaffected and finally becomes visible after years of being hidden from the public.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

There are office spaces and conference rooms, as well as an area on the indoor roof which is intended for events.

The idea of connecting the building’s historical substance with modern components is already achieved in the entrance area of Telegraf 7, where minimalistic and historical elements are combined. il.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

While the original concrete steps were uncovered and refurbished, the architects chose a light-coloured terrazzo flooring harmonising perfectly with the richly ornamented wrought-iron banister with a wooden handra

On the other hand, you reach the individual office units and lifts by going through doors featuring an extremely linear design combined with the brass coating’s warm surface.

Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus


Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus
Telegraf 7
© Hertha Hurnaus

BEHF Ebner Hasenauer Ferenczy ZT GmbH
T +43 1 52417500 F +43 1 524 1750-20
BEHF Ebner Hasenauer Ferenczy ZT GmbH
Kaiserstraße 41, 1070 Vienna, Austria