Vienna City Walk: Architectural Scandals

The Viennese have often reacted to changes in their city with vehement resistance and ridicule. The Secession got its “golden head of cabbage”, the uncompromising Adolf Loos built his “house without eyebrows ” and Hans Hollein’s canopy for the Albertina was dubbed “the filling station”. For 20 years the development of the MuseumsQuartier was accompanied by aggressive opposition campaigns and citizens’ initiatives. This tour introduces some of these projects and explains why, after the initial scandals, today it is almost impossible to imagine the city without them.

Meeting point: in front of the Az W

• MuseumsQuartier Wien, Ortner & Ortner, M. Wehdorn 2001
• Secession, J. M. Olbrich, 1897; renovation: A. Krischanitz, O. Kapfinger 1986
• Böhler Haus, Hotel Le Méridien, Roland Rainer, 1958; revitalisation: M. Wehdorn, F. Schwaighofer 2003
• Palmenhaus, Friedrich Ohmann 1906, Eichinger oder Knechtl 1998 (conversion)
• Albertina (redesign / extension), Steinmayr & Mascher, Hans Hollein 2002
• Haus am Michaelerplatz, Adolf Loos 1911

End: High Rise Herrengasse, Theiss & Jaksch 1932