Construction has begun on the new headquarters of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich in central Linz, Austria, marking the next phase in the redevelopment of the bank’s existing campus into a more publicly integrated urban district.
Designed by HENN, the timber-hybrid project is scheduled for completion in 2029 and will accommodate around 1,000 employees. The 25,000m² (269,000ft²) building is planned as the central link within the RLB OÖ campus, connecting the bank’s existing buildings with new public spaces around the site.
Positioned between the existing campus and the Blumau Tower, the project combines office functions with publicly accessible areas, including a café, restaurant, event facilities, rooftop landscapes, and landscaped outdoor spaces that connect to the surrounding neighbourhood.
Timber-hybrid structure reshapes the existing campus
The headquarters has been designed around a stepped building form rising from a trapezoidal footprint. A series of recesses and projections draws the surrounding streetscape into the building, while terraces spiral upwards around a central atrium extending to the roof.
The building’s staggered levels are intended to mediate between the lower-scale bank buildings already on the campus and the adjacent Blumau Tower, helping the structure integrate into Linz’s existing urban fabric.
The façade combines glass and aluminium on the exterior with exposed timber elements within the interior structure. Large glazed sections reveal the timber construction from the outside, while indoor planting and green terraces are incorporated throughout the workplace.
A central atrium forms the core of the building, linking workspaces, communal areas, and rooftop terraces through a series of stair-connected platforms designed for meetings, events, and informal interaction. Collaborative workspaces, coffee areas, and meeting spaces are arranged around the atrium, which brings natural light into the building through a glazed roof. Quieter workspaces and rooms for confidential discussions are arranged along the façade.
Public-facing ground floor and new urban spaces
The ground floor has been planned as a publicly accessible area anchored by a large atrium. Alongside facilities for employees, the building will include spaces open to visitors, reflecting the bank’s stated intention to create stronger links between the campus and the wider city.
The first floor will include a central gathering space and bar designed to accommodate both informal meetings and larger auditorium-style events. Interior details reference Linz’s industrial and manufacturing history through metal finishes and high-tech materials.
Indoor planting systems and rooftop gardens are integrated throughout the building, including a landscaped indoor garden on the third floor intended for quieter work and small group interaction.
An urban plaza is also planned in front of the headquarters, alongside traffic-calmed public areas and additional green spaces. Across the street, the development plans include a new neighbourhood park with a children’s play area.
The project is being developed in collaboration with several specialist partners, including local planning partner Architekten Kneidinger, interior design studios Innocad, SODA, and HofmanDujardin, landscape architecture practice studio blaugruen, and engineering and technical consultants across structural design, lighting, acoustics, traffic management, and fire safety.
