October 6, 2025
New ISTA Kindergarten Officially Opens
Contemporary space fosters balance between family and work life on campus
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) celebrated the official opening of its new kindergarten on October 6, 2025, joined by Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner and Lower Austria State Parliament Representative Christoph Kaufmann on behalf of Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. With this modern building, the Institute sends a strong signal that top-level research and family life can go hand in hand, while also creating more space for the youngest members of its rapidly growing international campus community.
The new employee kindergarten, which can accommodate up to eight groups, is located on the northern edge of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) campus in Klosterneuburg near Vienna. Large windows, light-flooded rooms, and a covered terrace create an open, child-friendly atmosphere. Nestled into the surrounding nature, the new building also has spacious outdoor facilities with three green play areas.
The new kindergarten is operated by Hilfswerk Niederösterreich. Since September 1, around 40 children are being cared for there in three groups, with more than 20 nationalities represented.
Where nature meets green design
Designed as a ‘passive house’ and ‘energy plus’ building by WORK SPACE Architekten ZT GmbH, the new kindergarten meets the highest ecological standards and has been awarded a klimaaktiv Gold certification with 1000 out of 1000 points. Thanks to solar panels on the roof and the use of geothermal energy, the building generates more energy than it consumes. The choice of construction materials focused on regional and sustainable resources, especially wood, which defines the building’s interior and exterior design. In addition, a highly insulated façade together with shading on the south side of the building provides thermal insulation.
Ceremony brings together science, politics and partners
The festive opening brought together politicians, scientists, architects, and regional partners. After a welcome address by ISTA President Martin Hetzer, the project was presented by ISTA Managing Director Georg Schneider, Katharina Rokvić from Hilfswerk Niederösterreich, Karin Triendl from WORK SPACE Architekten ZT GmbH, and Christoph Reiter-Havlicek, head of the Building and Property Management Department of the Lower Austrian Government.
Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research, and Lower Austria State Parliament Representative and Klosterneuburg Mayor Christoph Kaufmann on behalf of Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, took part in a discussion moderated by ISTA Division Head for Communications Harald Wilkoszewski, on measures to promote work-life balance to further position Austria as a science and business hub. In this context, they emphasized the importance of the new kindergarten. Rounding out the program, the festivities also featured a musical performance about the season of fall by the kindergarten children and a tour of the building.
Where research and family thrive
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), which opened in 2009, continues to grow steadily. By 2036, the institute will expand from its current 90 research groups and 1,300 employees to 150 research groups and 2,000 employees. With this planned increase, the need for additional infrastructure to support the international campus community is also rising. The new kindergarten is part of this development and underscores the Institute’s commitment to combining research and family friendliness, thereby continuing to attract and retain top researchers from around the world.
