Global – Neutral

Description

Global – Neutral traces the actions of Austrian architects in the shifting terrains of postcolonial Africa and Asia. Focusing on work produced between 1955 and 1989, the narrative situates the designs of cities, buildings, pavilions, and landmarks—some were realized, others remained on paper—within a period of profound political flux. As newly independent states redefined their political futures, architecture became entangled in complex alliances, development agendas, and the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War. By revisiting largely overlooked projects of architects who were educated in Austria, or set up their practices there, or both, Global – Neutral sheds light on Austria’s geopolitical stance as a neutral state and its evolving relationships with countries in Africa and Asia.
Across seven lavishly illustrated chapters—featuring plans, models, photographs, and archival material from the Architekturzentrum Wien Collection—the publication explores the intersections of architecture, geopolitics, development cooperation, and transnational knowledge exchange. Contributions by authors from several of the countries under discussion situate the projects within broader historical, political, and cultural contexts.