Global – Neutral

Architecture from Austria in Africa and Asia 1955–1989

Architecture Discourse

Three low, barrel-shaped buildings. The sea in the background. — Walter Hildebrand, Eckhard Schulze-Fielitz, Gunter Wratzfeld (Construction Management): „Habitainer“ Accommodation for engineers working for Hochtief, Skikda, Algerien 1970 © Architekturzentrum Wien, Sammlung, Photograph: Gunter Wratzfeld

until 05.10.2026

The exhibition “Global – Neutral” follows the traces of Austrian architects who were active in Africa and Asia between 1955 and 1989.

In the foreground, you can see a modern row house development.
In the background, a mountain rises up.

Aryashahr (today Fuladshahr), Isfahan, Iran, Luftbild, Aerial photo, 1970s © Architekturzentrum Wien, Sammlung, Photograph: Djamshid Farassat

Pencil drawing with a flame in the foreground.
An elongated building with the inscription: View from the south.

Eilfried Huth: Hotel in the Tropics, student project at Graz University of Technology, Austria, 1950–1956 Perspective Drawing South View © Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection

A model photo by Roland Rainer. A black background with several groups of light-colored buildings of varying heights.

Roland Rainer: Bahrain Cultural Center, 1975–1976, Model © Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection, Photo: Martin Gerlach

Black-and-white drawing of an exhibition space with several people inside and gray and purple ceiling elements. The words “Bangkok 66” are written in the upper left corner.

Eva Mang-Frimmel, Karl Mang: Mobile Pavilion, Bangkok, Trade Fair, Thailand, 1966, Perspective Drawing, 1966 © Photograph: Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection

Landscape-oriented architectural drawing with a blue background, a light-colored building with columns, and a few palm trees

Hannes Lintl, Municipal administration building, competition, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1979, Elevation © Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection

1 woman and 4 men, all wearing white coats, look into the camera

Shahrzad Seradj with Iranian fellow students at the Faculty of Architecture, Technische Hochschule Graz (today TU Graz) © Architekturzentrum Wien, Collection

In the context of decolonization and the Cold War, architectural projects in postcolonial states became venues for political negotiation. Austria’s self-image as a neutral state without a colonial past gave its architects a special role between East and West. Their projects were simultaneously embedded in political, economic, and cultural interests – ranging from development programs and diplomatic rapprochement to transnational cooperation.

Using the Az W Collection as a base, the exhibition illuminates a neglected chapter of Austrian architectural history. Plans, photographs, and models showcase projects by architects including Hannes Lintl, Carl Pruscha, Roland Rainer, Shahrzad Seradj-Kraupp, and Anton Schweighofer. „Global – Neutral“ continues Az W‘s work of making architecture visible in its social dimension.

Curators: Monika Platzer, Susanne Rick

Exhibition and Graphic design: Steinbrener/Dempf & Huber

Publication:

The exhibition catalogue, Global – Neutral. Architecture from Austria in Africa and Asia 1955–1989, edited by Monika Platzer, Susanne Rick, and the Architekturzentrum Wien, will be published by Park Books.

With contributions by:

Esra Akcan, Reza Alirezaieyan, Camilo C. Antonio, Warebi Brisibe,Roberto Fabbri, Berthold Molden, Clara Neuhold, Monika Platzer, Susanne Rick, BireshShah, Setiadi Sopandi