Journal Architektur und Planung: As Radical as it is Sensitive: Vienna’s Historic Architecture Reimagined as a Visionary Office Concept

Reviving a Viennese landmark with a forward-looking design vision.

We’re delighted that our project DLA Piper Vienna has been featured in the architecture magazine Journal. Here’s an excerpt from the article: "Once considered one of Vienna’s most modern buildings of its time, this impressive architectural gem has been given new life by the consultancy and architectural practice CSMM, through a concept that balances sensitivity with progressiveness.

The challenge lay in bridging the tension between historic fabric and contemporary use. In the early 2020s, CSMM was commissioned by an internationally active Viennese law firm to transform the listed building — a task that required preserving its historic character while adapting it to the demands of a modern workplace.

Located in Vienna’s prestigious First District, the neoclassical former bank has long stood out for its striking main portal and the grand staircase leading up to the building’s bel étage. Inside, more than a century of craftsmanship reveals itself in large-scale marble panels, elaborate friezes, fine timber elements, and embossed leather wall coverings.

“The decision to lease space within this historic property at Schottentor reflects a commitment that has guided our approach from the very beginning,” explains Malte Tschörtner, Managing Partner at CSMM. “Our aim was not simply to create a functional office environment, but to reinterpret and evolve the building’s unique architectural heritage — and to infuse it with a vision for the future.”...