Hot Questions – Cold Storage

The permanent exhibition at the Az W

Architecture Discourse

Several people in a room with yellow, orange, and red exhibits and furniture. — The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Lisa Rastl

Permanent exhibition

The permanent collection of the Architekturzentrum Wien provides insights into the most significant and extensive collection on Austrian architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries. The focus is on the investigation of key objects, both high-profile and lesser-known items. Seven hot questions bring cold storage to life.

A person dressed in dark clothing looks at pictures and drawings mounted on a yellow grid. Further up, there is a sign that reads “How is architecture created?”

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Lisa Rastl

Pink-purple curtain in the background, with several photos and newspaper clippings in front of it. A pink sign that reads “Anti-Capitalist City.”

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Az W, Iris Ranzinger

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Lisa Rastl

Many blue, purple, and red pieces of furniture and objects. Two people can be seen looking at the objects.

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Lisa Rastl

An exhibition wall with black and white stripes on which white and black eagles are printed. Next to it is a photo. Behind it are tall red beams, and above them is the question “Who are we?” in neon letters.

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Az W, Iris Ranzinger

A screen showing a black-and-white film is mounted on a dark blue wall. The words “Gemeinwohl, Common Good” are written on it in large letters. Two drawings and an architectural model are also on display.

The Az W's permanent exhibition © Photograph: Az W, Iris Ranzinger

Blue wall with several objects fixed to it. E.g., an armchair or four white lights.

“This exhibition marks a turning point, both with its concept and in terms of the presentation.”

“Now, with this exhibition, Vienna has yet another top attraction.”

As the Az W Collection has expanded over the last years to include over 100 living and deceased architects’ estates as well as extensive project collections, a large number of original objects are being shown for the first time in the permanent collection on display in ‘Hot Questions — Cold Storage’. The nation’s building activity is made strikingly visible, with all of its cultural, social, economic and technical ramifications. At the same time, the exhibition challenges deficits in the canon of Austrian architectural history. New players are featured, light is shed on previously little known sources and the key focus is on multiple perspectives rather than on a national historical narrative. This diversity is also reflected in the exhibition design, with a diverse range of landscapes for the exponents making a visit to the exhibition both a sensual and a richly atmospheric experience.

Concept: Angelika Fitz, Monika Platzer

Curator: Monika Platzer