Welios® - Facts & Figures

Architects

Linz-based archinauten – dworschak + mühlbachler architekten zt-gmbH

Planning

OÖ Science-Center Wels Errichtungs-GmbH, a corporation whose principal shareholders are Holding Wels GmbH and Energie AG; additional shareholders: Raiffeisenlandesbank and Sparkasse OÖ

Building Owner & Commissioning Client

OÖ Science-Center Wels Errichtungs-GmbH

Operator of the Facility

ÖO Science-Center Wels Betriebs-GmbH (shareholders: Petri & Tiemann GmbH, Bremen; Kraftwerk Living Technologies GmbH, Wels; The City of Wels)

Concept Development

Petri & Tiemann GmbH, Bremen, supported by a commission of experts in the fields of education, physics, renewable sources of energy, and the environment

The Building

This facility has been planned as an urban hub situated in the transitional zone between downtown Wels and the city’s expo center. The exhibition content’s focus on energy is manifested by the architecture itself—both its aesthetic form and its use of materials and infrastructure designed to minimize energy consumption.

Financing

Approximately €22 million have been put up by the lead investors: the City of Wels, the Province of Upper Austria, Raiffeisenlandesbank OÖ and Sparkasse OÖ. Additional financing has been provided by the Friends of Science Center Wels association.

Catchment Area (from which this facility will draw visitors)

Residential areas and schools located within a two-hour drive; resort areas within a 45-minute drive

Usable Space

• Permanent exhibition: 2,500 m²
• Temporary exhibit: 500 m²
• Event venues (modular): 750 m²
• Total usable space: approximately 6,200 m²

Opening

Spring 2011

Logo

Designed by the Gruppe am Park communications agency (Buchegger, Denoth, Feichtner & Haslinger Keck), the logo symbolizes the five forms of renewable energy (that can be counted on one hand) as well as the basic principles of Welios®: “seeing and grasping” as well as “experiencing with all five senses.” Plus, its green color is meant to underscore sustainability.