Innovative Architectural Solutions by querkraft architekten: A Case Study

querkraft architekten is a renowned architectural firm based in Austria. Founded in 1998, the firm has a track record of unconventional, imaginative projects ranging from residential buildings to spectacular museums and industrial complexes. The firm is known for its innovative approach to design, often thinking outside the box to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and functional. The firm has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous awards and nominations, including the 2013 “State Prize for Architecture and Sustainability” by the Ministry of Life in 2013, for the project U31 (Vienna).

querkraft architekten, a renowned architectural firm in Austria, was faced with the challenge of expanding the Liaunig Museum, a unique structure that houses the private art collection of industrialist Herbert Liaunig. The museum, which is mostly underground, is located in the Carinthian landscape of southern Austria and is known for its distinctive, 160-meter gallery wing. The challenge was to expand the museum by 2,500 square meters while maintaining the original concept of the building. The expansion needed to include a special exhibition hall, a space for sculptures, and two additional spaces for presentations and other purposes. The firm was also tasked with designing the Citygate Tower, a high-rise residential building in Vienna. The challenge was to design a building that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and flexible for the residents.

For the Liaunig Museum expansion, querkraft architekten maintained the original concept of the building by designing simple, geometric forms. The new 700-square meter hall for temporary exhibitions was designed without columns and uses a sculptural slab. The architects also created interesting lighting effects with triangular skylights. The sculpture space was designed with an imposing dome, reminiscent of the Pantheon. The architects ensured that all exhibition spaces used natural light from creatively placed skylights, in accordance with the owner’s wish to display his collection in daylight conditions. For the Citygate Tower, the architects designed a compact building with a flowing, wave-like façade. The tower was surrounded by a ring of balconies and loggias, with semi-circular extensions for each apartment. The interior of the tower was organized to avoid unlit, dark hallways. A vertical space was opened all along the north side of the building, opposite the core, to place a window on each floor, right across from the elevator. Community rooms were added along this shaft area, opening onto communal roof terraces.

• The solutions provided by querkraft architekten resulted in spaces of extraordinary radiance that surprise the visitor and play with their sense of perception. The firm succeeded in creating spaces that enhance the contemplative enjoyment of art, without giving the feeling of being underground. The design of the Citygate Tower resulted in a building that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and flexible for the residents. The design of the balconies and the 'vertical main street' fostered communication among the residents and provided space for various activities. The firm's innovative approach to design and their focus on the needs of the users resulted in buildings that are not only functional but also contribute to the quality of life of the people who use them.

• The Liaunig Museum expansion added 2,500 square meters of space to the existing structure.
• The new exhibition hall in the museum is a 700-square meter space designed without columns.
• The Citygate Tower, the firm’s first high-rise project, soars 100 meters high into the skies of northern Vienna, housing more than 300 apartments in its 34 stories.