Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (1928–2000) was an Austrian artist, architect, and environmental activist known for his colorful, whimsical paintings and unconventional architectural designs. Born as Friedrich Stowasser in Vienna, Hundertwasser developed a unique style that combined vibrant colors, organic forms, and a rejection of straight lines. He believed that straight lines were “godless” and unnatural, advocating instead for a harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and architecture.
In Vienna alone, he has designed iconic buildings that would surely stand out when you walk around the city. We have featured them often, but let’s list them down again:
Hundertwasserhaus (1983-1985)
- Location: Kegelgasse 34-38, 1030 Vienna
- The most famous of Hundertwasser’s buildings in Vienna, the Hundertwasserhaus is a residential apartment complex known for its vibrant colors, irregular shapes, undulating floors, and the integration of trees and greenery.
Kunsthaus Wien (1991)
- Location: Untere Weißgerberstraße 13, 1030 Vienna
- The Kunsthaus Wien serves as a museum and exhibition space dedicated to Hundertwasser’s work. The building was originally a 19th-century furniture factory that Hundertwasser redesigned in his signature style, featuring colorful mosaics, uneven floors, asymmetrical windows, and a green roof.
Spittelau District Heating Plant (1987–1992)
- Location: Spittelauer Lände, 1090 Vienna
- After a fire damaged the original Spittelau Waste Incineration Plant, Hundertwasser was commissioned to redesign the facility’s exterior in 1987. The renovated plant features a distinctive golden dome, bright colors, irregular windows, and green spaces, transforming an industrial building into an architectural landmark.
United Nations Vienna Office (UNOV) – Hainburg Chapel (1995)
- Location: UNOV building, 1220 Vienna
- Hundertwasser designed a chapel within the United Nations Vienna Office (UNOV) complex, adding his characteristic organic shapes, irregular forms, and colorful elements to the interior. The chapel includes vibrant murals and a distinctive tower.
BAWAG P.S.K. Savings Bank (1982)
- Location: Hütteldorfer Straße 130, 1140 Vienna
- Hundertwasser redesigned the facade of this savings bank building in Vienna’s 14th district. The facade incorporates colorful mosaics, undulating lines, and trees planted on terraces, reflecting his belief that even commercial buildings should embrace individuality and environmental harmony.
Village Shopping Complex (Hundertwasser Village) (1990-1991)
- Location: Opposite the Hundertwasserhaus, 1030 Vienna
- Located directly across from the Hundertwasserhaus, the Hundertwasser Village is a shopping complex that includes a café, shops, an art gallery, and a bar. The design features vibrant colors, uneven floors, organic shapes, and green spaces integrated into the building’s interior and exterior.
Table of Contents
Art and Philosophy:
Hundertwasser’s art is characterized by:
- Vivid Colors and Spirals: His paintings are full of bright, bold colors, spirals, and irregular forms. Spirals were a recurring motif in his work, symbolizing growth, change, and the cycle of life.
- Nature and Ecology: He was a passionate environmentalist who incorporated natural elements, such as trees and plants, into his buildings and artworks.
- Human Creativity: He believed that everyone has the potential for creativity and should express it in their surroundings, advocating for “windows rights” — the right of every individual to personalize their living space, including the appearance of the exterior walls.
Architectural Works:
Hundertwasser’s architectural style is equally distinctive. Some of his most famous architectural projects include:
- Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna: A residential building that features undulating floors, a forested roof, and colorful mosaics. It became a landmark in Vienna and exemplifies his belief in “living in harmony with nature.”
- Kuchlbauer Tower in Abensberg, Germany: A fairy tale-like tower with onion domes and vibrant colors, which has become a significant tourist attraction.
- The Hundertwasser Public Toilets in Kawakawa, New Zealand: An example of how he brought his unique vision even to small, everyday structures.
Legacy:
Hundertwasser’s legacy extends beyond his art and architecture; he is remembered for his commitment to environmental causes. He promoted sustainability and green architecture long before these concepts became mainstream, often integrating grass roofs, rainwater harvesting, and tree planting into his projects. He was also an advocate for peace, cultural diversity, and human rights.
Overall, Hundertwasser is celebrated for his creative, colorful approach to art and architecture, as well as his forward-thinking ideas about ecology and human well-being.
Hundertwasserhaus
The Hundertwasserhaus is a residential apartment complex located in Vienna, Austria, and is one of the most famous works of Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It is known for its colorful facade, irregular shapes, undulating floors, and the integration of trees and greenery into the building’s design.
Description:
- Color and Design: The Hundertwasserhaus features a vibrant, multi-colored exterior with a mix of bold colors, uneven surfaces, and unique patterns. The building is characterized by its whimsical style, with curved lines and asymmetrical forms that defy traditional architectural conventions.
- Nature Integration: True to Hundertwasser’s philosophy, the building incorporates natural elements such as over 200 trees and shrubs growing on the balconies and roof terraces. This creates a living facade that blends architecture with nature.
- Architectural Elements: The building has irregular window shapes, undulating floors, and terraces that reflect Hundertwasser’s dislike of straight lines. The windows are all different from one another, symbolizing the individuality and uniqueness of each resident.
- Size and Structure: The Hundertwasserhaus has 52 apartments, 4 offices, 16 private terraces, and 3 communal terraces, as well as many green areas. It was designed to create a comfortable, human-centric living environment that contrasts sharply with the functionalist and utilitarian style prevalent in mid-20th-century architecture.
History:
- Construction: The Hundertwasserhaus was constructed between 1983 and 1985. While the conceptual design was provided by Hundertwasser, the actual architectural execution was handled by architect Joseph Krawina.
- Purpose: Built as a municipal housing project, the building was intended to offer affordable and unique living spaces for the residents of Vienna while challenging the conventional approaches to urban architecture.
- Public Reception: Initially, the unconventional style and irregular design sparked controversy among traditionalists and professionals in architecture. However, the Hundertwasserhaus quickly became one of Vienna’s most popular landmarks, attracting tourists and artists from around the world.
- Legacy: Today, the Hundertwasserhaus is considered an important example of contemporary architecture that emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. It is a landmark that showcases Hundertwasser’s vision of environmentally integrated living spaces and his challenge to conventional urban development.
Hundertwasser Village
Hundertwasserhaus and Village : Exhibit inside the Village
The Hundertwasser Village (Hundertwasser Village, or Hundertwasser-Dorf) is a shopping complex located directly across from the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna. It was also designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser to complement the residential building and to serve as a creative public space.
Description:
- Interior Design: The Village has a highly artistic and unconventional interior, featuring uneven floors, colorful mosaics, vibrant murals, and trees growing inside the building. The design continues Hundertwasser’s signature style of organic shapes, bright colors, and natural elements.
- Facilities: It includes a café, shops, an art gallery, and a bar, creating a communal space where visitors can relax, shop, and enjoy the artistic surroundings. The space is designed to be visually stimulating and to celebrate the creativity and individuality of both visitors and the environment.
- Architecture: Similar to the Hundertwasserhaus, the Village has no straight lines and follows the principle of harmony between human life and nature. The floors are uneven and the walls and ceilings feature decorative tiles and vivid patterns.
.jpeg)
History:
- Construction: The building that houses the Hundertwasser Village was originally a car tire workshop. In 1990, Hundertwasser began transforming it into an artistic village. The construction was completed in 1991.
- Purpose and Vision: The aim of the Hundertwasser Village was to create an open, accessible space that was both functional and artistically inspiring. Hundertwasser envisioned the village as an extension of his architectural philosophy, which rejects uniformity and instead embraces diversity, creativity, and ecological balance.
- Tourist Attraction: Since its completion, the Hundertwasser Village has become a popular tourist destination. It offers a unique experience where visitors can engage with Hundertwasser’s artistic vision in a relaxed and interactive setting.
Significance:
Together, the Hundertwasserhaus and the Hundertwasser Village are celebrated as pioneering examples of sustainable and people-centric architecture. They reflect Hundertwasser’s radical ideas about human-scale design, environmental harmony, and artistic freedom, and they continue to attract visitors from around the world for their uniqueness and beauty.
--------------------------Book your Vienna stay here!--------------------------
