Fabrik Klarenbrunn

"Use what you have", with this motto, which comes from Isolde Adamek, my guided tour with Lisa started. And I will hear this phrase several times in the next hour. A very well thought-out concept. But how did it all begin? What was the origin? What we see here started about 130 years ago as the "Getzner spinning mill". The building was planned by an English architect, the facade and columns are now protected. After the spinning mill was taken over by "Linz Textil", the site was abandoned about 5 years ago. Finally, the building was bought 3 years ago by "Die Koje": Starting point for something very special....

Use what you have - this principle also applied to the renovation of the building. The goal was to leave as much as possible in its original state. If part of the floor was missing somewhere, they didn't say "tear it out, redo it." No. The holes were filled with what was there anyway. And it looks great. However, there was one thing they couldn't get around: replacing the windows. But these were specially made so that the building would not lose its charm and it would be as close as possible to the original. And what happened to the old windows? That's right - not a single one of them ended up in the trash, of course! They can be rediscovered everywhere in the building: as a presentation aid for an exhibition, as a room divider in the office or as a shelf in the Carla second-hand store. On the one hand, you can save costs and resources, on the other hand, it gives the building a special ambience. Perfect!

Swiss stone pine bed manufacture "die Koje"
They make furniture from Swiss stone pine. And they do it really well! The joinery "die Koje" has specialized in Swiss stone pine beds. Nothing special? Not this one: because here you get a knot-free version! Also noteworthy: everything is used, practically nothing is thrown away. If smaller pieces of wood fall away, they are glued, sanded and used to make cupboards. All the particularly small pieces and chips are pressed into pellets, which are then used to heat the factory. Ingenious!

Events
A huge event hall forms the heart of the Klarenbrunn factory. From corporate events, weddings and conferences to exhibitions and workshops, probably everything can take place here in the future. The factory itself also plans to organize more workshops on relevant topics. The goal is to fill the space with life during the week as well. The operators of the factory are also unanimous here: it should be events that fit to the concept and philosophy of the building.

Association "Die Fabrik(t)anten"
An ingenious name with an even more ingenious idea behind it: What is very important to the owners and employees of the Klarenbrunn factory is togetherness. Joint lunches are intended to strengthen the exchange and getting to know each other. For example, great cooperation projects between the carpentry shop and the Caritas workshop could be created. Alternately, one company cooks for the others and one spends a nice time together. In January, for example, a first aid course is to take place. The costs are shared, the premises are available. A sustainable, resource-saving cooperation.

A highlight that celebrated premiere in 2019 was the "Use what you have" festival at the Klarenbrunn factory. Together with Caritas and Remise Bludenz, the association was able to implement this great event, which was brought to life by Isolde Adamek. A clothing exchange, a food mile, exhibitions, lectures and workshops, a market and much more were offered. In 2020, the event, like many others, couldn't take place due to the Corona pandemic. But there is already the next date. For all those interested: make a note! 04.-06.06.2021, more info about the UWYH festival: www.uwyh.at

Caritas
One of the first tenants was welcomed with great joy: Caritas. It could not be more perfect, because this organization fits perfectly with the philosophy of the factory. On the ground floor of the building, besides a huge second hand store "Carla", there are also 2 "workshops": The youth workshop "Startbahn" and the workshop for the disabled "Gschickt und Gschwind". As already mentioned, there is a lot of internal cooperation here, countless old pieces of furniture are used here. Once a month there is even a "repair café"!

Beekeeper
Small but mighty. Very special tenants and partners of the factory are many hard-working helpers who provide sweet emergency rations: A beekeeper is also part of the factory family, who uses a small indoor area as well as a meadow to the side of the factory for his beehives. Become a bee sponsor! Yes, it is possible here. As a sponsor of a bee colony you will even be rewarded with the finished honey. This, by the way, is also available for purchase in the Carla Shop.

Other partners and tenants
The company SANlight deals with lighting for greenhouses and does intensive research in this field. All this, as well as a warehouse, is located in the Klarenbrunn factory. An architect's office can also be found in the historic building.

Of course, the offices of the carpentry "Koje" as well as the "Fabrik" are also in the building. And here, too, as much as possible was reused. Not even the walls were painted to preserve the special flair. A special workplace with a lot of history! Another project of the Klarenbrunn factory is the building next door, which used to be a boiler room (the high tower is striking). A café is to be built here in the next few years.

Currently, there are still vacant spaces in the Klarenbrunn factory. Priority is given to larger companies. If the space is not rented, there is already a plan B: A co-working space could be created!

We have not forgotten one tenant in the Klarenbrunn factory, but have taken a very close look at it: The tile manufacturer Karak. Click here to read the story.

You can find more information about the Klarenbrunn factory here.