The construction of the first Emma Wanderer Campus: From beginning to end

In the first two portfolio entries, you have followed our journey from the founding of the start-up to the development of our pilot project "The Campus in Hieflau" at the Gesäuse National Park.

It was an exciting and varied journey – full of beautiful but also challenging moments. Together with the architecture firm "W30", the construction company "Geischläger", and many other partners, from carpenters to roofers, we faced the challenge of realizing the construction in just one year.

A special thanks also goes to "Ark Shelter", our tiny house producers – more on this later in a separate portfolio entry, as many of you have specific questions about it.

From the soccer field to the first Emma Wanderer Remote Work Campus

The site covering over two hectares, where our first Emma Wanderer Campus was built, was once a soccer field. When we found it, the old goals, floodlight masts, and the abandoned clubhouse were still standing.

The first step was to clear the site so that construction work could begin. On June 22, 2022, it was time: the excavator rolled in, the first tiny house was built, and Sarah (Head of Architecture) along with Julia (COO & Co-Founder) began the journey with W30 (architecture firm).

Over the next 12 months and 3 weeks, friendships, beautiful stories, and unforgettable moments were created. However, there were also challenges, frustrating events, and tears. The feeling of being overwhelmed grew, but so did the anticipation for the opening.

Winter is coming - The first construction phase – Winter-proof in record time

In the first months, the focus was on making the area, the main house, and the first tiny houses winter-proof to protect them from rain, snow, and the freezing temperatures in Hieflau (up to -20 degrees).

Thanks to the great work of the construction company and the project management by Stefan Wedl and Julia, we were able to prepare everything on time and continue construction indoors during the winter months. Sarah ensured a high-quality interior through partnerships with sustainable European brands like Vitra, Schneid Studio, and Fest Amsterdam. A detailed portfolio will follow.

We love spring - The second construction phase amidst a natural spectacle

The drive to Hieflau offered a panorama that is second to none. With the awakening of spring, it became clear to us again that we had chosen the perfect location for our first Emma Wanderer Remote Work Campus. Every week, visiting the construction site was a gift – despite the increasing time pressure and stress.

As the snow melted, we continued with the infrastructure and the next delivery of the tiny houses.

Alongside the construction site: Successful buildup and expansion

And what else was happening at Emma? Andreas, our "Master of Ideas and Sales", built up an impressive pre-sales volume during the construction phase, initiated the Founding Membership, and handled PR and marketing to further advance Emma.
Oh yes, and we were also able to finalize the final construction financing in March after many sleepless nights. It was quite simple to manage several million alongside building the brand, as well as a real estate and a team (Austrian sarcasm).

The last three weeks before the opening

The last three weeks before the opening celebration on August 4, 2023, were a true challenge. As a start-up, we chronically had too little money, a too small team, and far too large tasks that still had to be managed. Friends and family pitched in: from placing the interior, unpacking and disposing of the countless boxes, to putting on the bed covers.

Of course, it's worth mentioning that the last 14 tiny homes were only delivered in June and July, connected, cleaned, and furnished. It literally took a VILLAGE.

The construction site was completed, but there were still numerous defects to be rectified before the arrival of the first guest. No hot water in four tiny houses, the ventilation in the main house was malfunctioning – just what one might need on the big opening day.