The city of Vienna is renowned for its grand imperial architecture. But it was also home to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose buildings were eccentric, unconventional and definitely not classical. With their bright colours, wavy lines and whimsical features, his creations stand as a rebellion against traditional forms. Here we look at his artistic legacy, and where you can find Hundertwasser in Vienna today.
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Who Was Friedensreich Hundertwasser?
Originally known as Friedrich Stowasser, Hundertwasser was an artist, architect, and environmentalist. He was born in Vienna in 1928, and his Jewish mother ensured his survival during World War II by raising him as a Catholic. He later changed his name to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and travelled around the world, eventually settling in New Zealand.
Hundertwasser was a prolific painter, creating pictures, postage stamps and flags, and he also turned to architecture. Over time he developed a distinctive style, rejecting conventional artistic and architectural norms. His philosophy rejected straight lines, favouring organic shapes, irregular patterns, bright colours and idiosyncratic elements. He also believed in uneven floors, arguing that flat surfaces were unnatural and contributed to a monotonous existence!
He was also very committed to environmental sustainability. Hundertwasser’s work often features living plants, creating a harmony between humanity and the environment.
Where To Find Hundertwasser In Vienna
The main Hundertwasser buildings in Vienna are as follows. Apart from the Incinerator, the sites are all within a short walk of one another.
Hundertwasser House
Probably the most famous is the Hundertwasser Haus. Built between 1983 and 1985, this is a residential complex that defies architectural conventions. It features undulating floors, mismatched windows, and a façade bursting with colour. The building is adorned with greenery, and water plays from a fountain outside, combining nature with the built environment.
The Hundertwasser House is still a residential building, so it is only possible to see it from the outside. However, you can climb the uneven steps to have a drink in the suitably quirky Kunst-Café.
The Hundertwasser Village
Immediately opposite is the Hundertwasser Village. This was originally a tyre workshop, but was transformed into a shopping centre for the Hundertwasser House residents in 1991. This extraordinary building, with its curved walls, mosaic floors, and a waterfall beside the toilets, is now a lively tourist attraction. Inside you will find a gallery, a café, and a collection of shops selling Hundertwasser-inspired souvenirs. There is also a small room with information about the artist and some of his paintings.
Don’t forget to go downstairs and use the toilets (have a one-euro coin handy to get in). As you enter you will experience a sound installation: it seems that Hundertwasser was also given to occasional poetry and philosophical statements…
And as you leave the Village, look up at the roof. Over the years a forest has grown up on top of the building, now home to numerous trees and birds.
The Danube Canal
From here you can walk down to the Danube Canal and follow a pleasant waterside walk known as the Hundertwasser Promenade. This leads to the Hundertwasser landing stage, from which he used to launch his boat. Beside the pavilion is an information board with a timeline of the artist’s work.
Hundertwasser Museum
The Kunst Haus Wien is a museum designed by Hundertwasser and dedicated to his work. One room contains information about his life and works, and others have collections of his paintings. You will also find flags and stamps, architectural models, and fragments of his writings. The upper floors are used for temporary exhibitions from contemporary artists.
The building itself is a masterpiece, with its asymmetrical design, vibrant façade and – of course – uneven floors everywhere. Downstairs is a café with an outside area – just make sure that you don’t choose a table or chair on a wobbly surface…
One of the remarkable aspects of the museum is the so-called “tree tenants”. These are trees that grow out of the windows of the building, symbolising a coexistence between nature and urban spaces.
Spittelau Incinerator
One of Hundertwasser’s most unexpected projects is the Spittelau Incinerator. This waste incinerator plant was redesigned by Hundertwasser following a fire in 1987. He managed to demonstrate that even an industrial building can be distinctive and eye-catching, as anyone who has seen its colourful mosaics and organic shapes, topped by a golden sphere, can testify.
The incinerator is around 30 minutes from the centre of Vienna by public transport. One of the best ways to see it is from the water on a Danube canal cruise.
Hundertwasser Around The World
Hundertwasser’s legacy extends far beyond Vienna. Within Austria you can find the St Barbara Church in Bärnbach and the Mierka Grain Silo in Krems. And there are several of his buildings in Germany.
Further afield, his influence lives on in New Zealand. Not just at the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei or the famous toilets in Kawakawa (the “most photographed toilets in New Zealand”). But also at Living Hundertwasser, a new project that builds on his influence to create a pioneering eco-space on the Bay of Islands. A fitting legacy for a visionary architect.
Take a walk around Hundertwasser’s buildings in Vienna on YouTube…
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Vienna.
