The “House for People and Trees” designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in Vienna is considered a pioneer of ecological building.
Nowadays it is not uncommon for architects to integrate plants and trees into new buildings in Austria’s capital.
But, when the Hundertwasser House opened in Vienna’s third district more than 30 years ago, its unusual appearance provoked astonishment.
The house, which houses 52 flats, attracted visitors from its opening thanks to its playful, colourful façade. Around 250 shrubs and trees adorned the balconies and roofs. Today, the now lush greenery almost hides the house.
The architectural ideas of the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) were realised at the time by the architects Josef Krawina and Peter Pelikan.
© Wien Tourismus | Paul Bauer
The Hundertwasser House can only be viewed from the outside. But visitors can experience what Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s architecture feels like on the inside at the Kunst Haus Wien, which is close by.
Here, too, the façade is colourful, trees sprout from the walls and shade the inner courtyard. The floors are uneven, the walls covered with different tiles.
One section of the exhibition is dedicated to works by the painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Guided tours provide insights into the philosophy of the man who was committed to the environment and green ideas.
More information: www.wien.info
