Background/Motivation

The market town of Payerbach is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Region Semmering – a unique European cultural landscape characterised by outstanding architectural heritage, craftsmanship and landscape quality. Despite these assets, the central village square of Payerbach is currently affected by vacancy, underused buildings and inactive public spaces. Structural decline and outmigration contrast sharply with the region's rich cultural capital.

The NEB:werk project understands this situation as an opportunity. Building on the existing initiative "Craftsmanship & Building Culture in the Semmering World Heritage Region", the project aims to further develop the centre of Payerbach into a future-oriented quarter aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). The goal is to strengthen local identity, foster social cohesion and create a place with strong regional roots and European relevance.

Contents and goals

NEB:werk aims to transform the village square of Payerbach into a climate-resilient, inclusive and vibrant NEB model quarter. Historic buildings and open spaces are treated as valuable resources and further developed through a contemporary culture of renovation and adaptive reuse. Regional materials, traditional craftsmanship and renewable energy concepts form key pillars of the project.

The project integrates building culture, sustainability and social life while actively involving the local population. The objective is a multifunctional quarter offering space for living, working, craftsmanship, culture and community use. At the same time, NEB:werk is positioned as a lighthouse project within the Semmering World Heritage Region and as a transferable model for rural transformation at European level.

Methodological Approach

The project follows an interdisciplinary and participatory methodology. Analytical and planning activities (building stock analysis, spatial and energy concepts, open-space strategies) are closely linked with co-creation formats, workshops and participatory processes. Methods of design-based research and action research enable iterative development in real-life contexts.

Local stakeholders, associations, residents and experts from architecture, landscape architecture, energy planning, craftsmanship, social sciences and economics are involved from an early stage. Needs assessments and target-group analyses complement the process. Results are systematically documented, reflected upon and prepared for transferability to other regions..

Expected Results

The project will deliver an integrated overall concept for the NEB:werk quarter, including guiding principles, strategic measures, governance models, financing options and implementation pathways. The village square of Payerbach will be redefined as an attractive, climate-adapted and non-commercial public space with high quality of stay for all generations.

Beyond the local impact, NEB:werk will generate transferable models for renovation culture, participatory rural development and community-oriented usage concepts. The project strengthens regional value creation, enhances social cohesion and positions the Semmering World Heritage Region as an innovative cultural and living space within the European context.

Project management

DI Johanna Digruber - HARDDECOR ARCHITEKTUR

Project or cooperation partners

• AKXSO GmbH
• pointC holistic change e.U.
• Fürst Holding GmbH
• Standler Karin Dr.
• UBW Unternehmensberatung Wagenhofer GmbH

HARDDECOR ARCHITEKTUR
DI Johanna Digruber
Westbahnstraße 8/1D
A-1070 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (664) 541 56 43
E-mail: digruber@harddecor.at
Web: www.handwerk-baukultur.at
Web: www.harddecor.at