Austria’s second-tallest tower rises with Europe-first solar facade

Work is taking place on the DC Tower 2 in Vienna, Austria, which will be 174m tall when completed. Image: Peri

The tower is called DC Tower 2 and it is located close to the tallest tower in Austria, DC Tower 1. German-based formwork and scaffolding systems manufacturer Peri played a key role in the construction of DC Tower 1 and is helping with DC Tower 2.

DC Tower 2 is due to completed in 2026. Originally planned as a twin tower to DC Tower 1, the design was revised on the recommendation of the Urban Planning Advisory Board. Above a base section comprising catering and co-working areas, modern, flexibly configurable office space of around 980m² per floor is being developed across 30 floors.

A highlight is said to be the sustainable facade design with integrated photovoltaic elements – a first in European high-rise construction that will make an important contribution to the building’s energy efficiency.

Peri Systems were in use as early as the initial phase of the high-rise construction project. Up to the sixth floor, the building was constructed in the conventional manner due to the solid steel components in the wing walls.

To optimise processes, the building core was divided into four work areas. The climbing formwork with enclosed concreting platform that was deployed made it possible to work safely even with reinforcement heights of over two and a half storeys. The Maximo Panel Formwork, which was adjusted with the aid of a carriage, ensured fast shuttering times. In addition, the RCS P Climbing Protection Panel offered protection against fall hazards, wind and falling objects, according to Peri.