Permanent exhibition

a_show

Austrian Architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries

Thu 04.03.2004 – Sun 27.06.2021 daily 10:00-19:00

Günther Domenig, Steinhaus, Steindorf, Kärnten, 1986–2008
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Margherita Spiluttini

Our permanent exhibition closes at the end of June. Take the opportunity to visit our “a_show”.

The “a_show” offers a compact overview of the development and history of the architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries in Austria along with a unique view of 150 years of architectural production.

In ten episodes the most relevant phenomena and tendencies are shown, while still leaving room for autonomous positions. Starting with Vienna’s growth into an imperial metropolis, the exhibition brings visitors into the field of tension between socio-political experiment, the “conquest” of areas of alpine landscape, the interwoven power structures of the Nazi period, and the rebuilding programme after 1945.

A green couch in an exhibition hall
The permanent exhibition "a_show. Austrian Architecture in the 20th and 21st Centuries"
© Architekturzentrum Wien, photograph: Hertha Hurnaus
Exterior of a building
Lois Welzenbacher, Turmhotel Seeber, Hall in Tyrol, 1930–1931
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Margherita Spiluttini
Exterior of a building
ARTEC Architekten, Raum Zita Kern, Raasdorf, 1997-1998
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Margherita Spiluttini
Außenansicht der Secession in Wien
Vienna City Walk: Dawn of Modernism
© Photograph: Rupert Christanell
Parked cars on the street in the foreground and grey house with flat roof in the background
Josef Frank, Beer House, Wenzgasse, Wien, AT, 1929–1931
© Architekturzentrum Wien, photograph: Margherita Spiluttini
Günther Domenig, Steinhaus, Steindorf, Kärnten, 1986–2008
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Margherita Spiluttini
A green couch in an exhibition hall
The permanent exhibition "a_show. Austrian Architecture in the 20th and 21st Centuries"
© Architekturzentrum Wien, photograph: Hertha Hurnaus
BKK-3: MISS Sargfabrik, Wien 14, 1998–2000
© Photograph: Hertha Hurnaus
Coop Himmelb(l)au: Dachausbau Falkestraße, Wien 1, 1983 – 1988
© Archiv Coop Himmelb(l)au, photograph: Gerald Zugmann
a_show. Austrian Architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries: Josef Lackner, Sankt Emmaus church, Völs, Tyrol, 1965–1967
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Friedrich Achleitner
Interior view
Arbeitsgruppe 4, Ennsleiten Pastoral Centre, Steyr, Upper Austria, 1970–1971
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, photograph: Friedrich Achleitner
Viktor Hufnagl, secondary school building and sports hall, Bundesrealgymnasium, Weiz, Styria, 1976-1978
© Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection

Modernism, experiments and crises

The year 1958 is significant for the development of architecture in Austria. At that time a number of key buildings were completed which signalised the somewhat late arrival of international modernism. Subsequently space travel, the worldwide ascendancy of pop culture and mass media made an impact on the production of architecture. The oil crisis in 1973 brought an abrupt end to utopian concepts, while at the same time marking the start of a variety of experiments in both formal and constructional terms. Current positions from throughout Austria are an important part of the exhibition and are presented in digital form.

Curators: Gabriele Kaiser, Monika Platzer, Az W

 

Audio Guides

Our audio guides, developed in collaboration with students at the Hertha Firnberg Schule für Wirtschaft und Tourismus in Vienna-Donaustadt, escort you through the exhibition with riveting stories. The entertaining audio dramatisations provide both an informative and an atmospherically rich tour of 150 years of Austrian architecture history.

All 15 projects to listen to in English: