Metro St. Pölten

"Shopping in the forest"—this is how the architectural team at Poppe & Prehal describes their outstanding project for METRO Cash & Carry Austria. This groundbreaking development marks the creation of the wholesale giant’s first completely emission-free and climate-neutral retail market.

Product: Gran Paradiso, pre-grayed
Architecture: Architekturbüro POPPE*PREHAL
Photo Rights: © METRO / Walter Eberhofer, Styr
Project Address: Lower Austria, Austria

12,300 m² of Usable Space Is No Small Matter – A Sustainable Masterpiece by Poppe & Prehal

When it comes to sustainably managing 12,300 m² of usable space, thoughtful planning is essential. This is where Poppe & Prehal brought their expertise to the table, drawing on their experience from the METRO central warehouse, which was designed and constructed with the same sustainability principles in mind. This project for logistics company Schachinger garnered multiple accolades, including the prestigious 2015 National Award for Architecture and Sustainability.

For the facade design of the ‘Zero Emission Unit Store’ in St. Pölten, the architects envisioned wooden elements in three different widths. This dynamic breakdown of the exterior shell also required varying thicknesses to achieve the desired aesthetic and functional effect.

To meet these requirements, the developers and designers selected Gran Paradiso boards from the Mareiner catalog, crafted from brushed thermo-spruce. They also opted for a pre-greyed coating, ensuring the facade would age gracefully while maintaining a modern, sophisticated appearance.

This project stands as a testament to innovative architectural thinking, combining sustainability, aesthetic excellence, and practical functionality.