Burgenland celebrates 100 years of architecture: the rise of brutalism!
Burgenland celebrates 100 years of architecture: the rise of brutalism!
Burgenland, Österreich - On July 3, 2025, the book "Burgenland Modern. 100 years, 100 buildings" appears, published by the state of Burgenland. On 277 pages, the authors Johann Gallis and Albert Kirchengast take a closer look at the architectural developments in Burgenland. The work is not only a review of the past, but also part of a comprehensive discussion about the role of architecture in the region.
architecture in Burgenland was missing for a long time, but in the 1960s and 1970s she picked up speed. Driven by SPÖ state captain Theodor Kery and massive investments in the public infrastructure, Burgenland experienced a real building boom. During this time, the special style of "Burgenland Brutalism" was created, which the book deals with in detail. The committed cultural and education policy of the post-war years plays a central role here, which aimed to modernize and promote the Burgenland, which has long been backed up, as Lacki.net.
brutalism - more than just a style
brutalism, a term that was characterized by Reyner Banham in 1955, is the focus of a clear philosophy: memorable images and the use of unprocessed materials. In Burgenland, this style is reflected in numerous buildings. This includes the cultural center Mattersburg , built between 1973 and 1976 by Herwig Udo Graf, parts of which are even listed. Another important example is the Oberwart Hospital , whose future is uncertain, since a demolition is planned here, while a new building is being built next door.
The preservation of such brutalist buildings is not just a question of monument protection, but a search for traces in the identity of the Burgenland. However, municipalities and owners often fight against high maintenance and renovation costs and are often dissatisfied with the requirements of monument protection. Again and again the demolition of significant objects is discussed, and many of them were unfortunately razed to the ground without taking into account their cultural value. In the meantime, further discoveries in the region are planning to better document the architectural heritage, reports [OE1] (https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20250703/800327/burgenland-100-jahr-100-100-100-
A look into the future
Interested parties now have the opportunity to deal with the brutalist architecture of the Burgenland. There are efforts in the community to raise awareness of this type of architecture. New exhibitions and tours through the architectural history of Burgenland are a first step. Many of the buildings mentioned will be built or renovated in the coming years, as the feedback from architects and local researchers show.The book "Burgenland Modern" can be viewed as a manual for architectural lovers and as an initial to do the educational work in the region. It not only offers insights into the existing architecture, but also encourages you to take the less valued buildings seriously and to see as part of the cultural identity of the Burgenland. In different exhibitions that deal with the topic of "Burgenland Brutalism", citizens will in future be invited to actively participate in the discussion in order to keep the legacy of architecture alive.
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| Ort | Burgenland, Österreich |
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