By Ty Malcolm
Unlike some cities (Paris, I'm looking at you!) that have a major architectural style, Vienna is much more varied. Maybe it's less pretty, maybe it's more navigable, that's for everyone to decide for themselves. While I can't include everything, Vienna has several standout architectural pieces that I thought would be good, to show the variety of architecture in the city:
1. Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (University of Economics)
This is where I go!! It has such beautiful architecture, it really looks like each building is a modern art museum. The library, or "LC," was designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-born British architect who also designed opera houses in China and Olympic stadiums in the United Kingdom. The building emphasizes natural light, accessibility for the disabled, and connectivity for modern lectures and working groups. Although she recently passed away last spring, her creations continue to win awards around the world.
The rust-colored teaching building, or "TC," is often compared by students to the "Sandcrawler" from Star Wars due to its shape and color. Although perhaps counterintuitive, the patina (a fancy word for the substance on the exterior of the building) actually protects the building from rust, and saves costs on paint, storm damages, and energy. This building was designed by a local architectural firm, and is where the majority of WU classes are held. The control panels set into the walls and whooshing automatic doors serve as a physical representation of the futuristic, innovative thinking happening at the Vienna University of Economics.
2. DC-1 Turm (Donau City Tower 1)
The first Donau City Tower rises 250 meters, or 820 feet from base to antenna. It is much higher than the surrounding buildings, and is visible from the majority of Vienna. For now, it is the highest skyscraper in Austria, and it houses companies in fields ranging from American healthcare, Spanish tourism, and Austrian real estate. It was designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, whose portfolio includes wonders such as the Arganzuela Footbridge in Madrid and the French National Library in Paris.
3. das Hundertwasserhaus
Staring out as a painter, Austrian-native Friedensreich Hundertwasser became focused on architecture, where he advocated natural forms of decay. His philosophy shows in this apartment complex he helped design, where the roof is covered with grass, trees grow from inside several rooms, and the uneven floor serves as a "divine melody to the feet." Hundertwasser took no payment for this functional work of art: it was enough, to know that something ugly would not go up in its place.
4. die Wiener Staatsoper (The Viennese State Opera)
Arguably one of the most famous opera houses in the world, Vienna's Staatsoper had humble beginnings. The public was quick to criticize the building, sunken into the surrounding terrace, comparing it unfavorably to various military defeats, and to the much prettier building that had stood across from it before the war. The architect, Eduard van der Nüll actually committed suicide after hearing so many negative comments. Today, the Viennese are much more polite in voicing their opinions of the historic building. It continues to house some of the best performances in the world, and of course bring in tourist dollars from the millions of visitors Vienna receives each year.
5. Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg Palace is a sweeping, curved building located on Heldenplatz, or "Heroes' Square," a large square in Vienna where two equestrian statues of Austrian military leaders stand facing one another. It was in this square that Adolf Hitler announced to the Austrian people the Anschluss of Austria into the Third Reich. You can see the large crowds surrounding the statues, cheering on their new leader. Many modern Austrians portray this as a sad occasion, but the photos betray the true Zeitgeist, or "spirit of the times."
Today, this square looks a bit less impressive, with temporary office buildings being built to house Parliament workers during its restoration. Nevertheless, the Hofburg Palace and the National Library inside it are definitely worth a visit. Students can purchase a year pass for around €10, which gives you a beautiful (and quiet!) study space for the days when the WU library seems too far away.
In this way, Vienna has no single style - there are buildings built in 1710, 1810, 1910, and 2010. The architectural diversity is great, in that it means there is something for everyone to enjoy. But this doesn't encompass everything -- to see it all, you truly have to come to Vienna and experience it yourself!