Werkgruppe Graz 19591989

The complete work of this extraordinary group of architects in post-war Austria, for the first time in a comprehensive monograph

The Werkgruppe Graz, consisting of Eugen Gross, Friedrich Gross-Rannsbach, Herman Pichler, and Werner Hollomey, played a major role in post-war Austrian architecture. All four architects were educated at the Technical University in Graz and began their collaboration in the late 1959, with the first building completed in 1963. The group was an important precursor of what became known as the Graz School in Austrian architecture. In addition to their architectural work the group also edited a series of poetry books, to which many of their friends from various circles contributed as authors.

Socially progressive, with a participatory as well as scientific approach they realized projects that remain significant milestones until the present day. Their most significant building, the Terrace House Estate in Graz-St. Peter (196578) and the Students' Hostel Am Hafnerriegel (196164) are both examples of typological, special and social innovations.

The new book Werkgruppe Graz 19591989 is the first comprehensive documentation of the group's work. A conversation and two essays put them in historical and international context. Some 30 buildings and projects are presented in detail. A complete catalogue of their work rounds out this monograph. It is an important contribution to the examination of the architectural legacy of post-war Austria.

Autorentext

Eva Guttmann studied political science, history and architecture, and has been appointed director of HDA - Haus der Architektur in Graz in 2010. HAD - Haus der Architektur in Graz is a non-profit organisation for architectural education, founded in 1988. It provides a platform for a variety of events, such as exhibitions, workshops, symposiums on architecture, urban and spatial development. Gabriele Kaiser studied art history in Vienna and is an architecture publicist and lecturer, and has been director of afo - Architekturforum Oberosterreich since 2010.

Klappentext

Die Werkgruppe Graz mit ihren Mitgliedern Eugen Gross, Friedrich Groß-Rannsbach, Hermann Pichler, Werner Hollomey war eine massgebliche Protagonistin der steirischen Nachkriegsarchitektur und wichtige Vorreiterin der 'Grazer Schule'. Gesellschaftlich fortschrittlich, mit stark partizipatorischem und wissenschaftlichem Ansatz und beeinflusst von der Schweizer Architektur sowie von der Salzburger Sommerakademie, verwirklichte sie Projekte, die bis heute architektonische Meilensteine und Wegbereiter sind. Herausragendes Projekt jener Zeit ist die Grazer Terrassenhaussiedlung St. Peter (1965-1978). Aber auch das Studentenwohnheim Hafnerriegel (1961-1964) oder das Studentenheim mit Mensa Leechgasse (1963) sind Zeugnisse typologischer, sozialer und räumlicher Innovationen, die ausgehend von Graz 'Architektur nach einer längeren Bewusstlosigkeit in Österreich wieder zum Thema machten' und als 'Antiposition zu einem wie immer gearteten geschlossenen Architekturbegriff' (Friedrich Achleitner) gelten können. Eine umfassende Publikation der Projekte und Realisierungen der Werkgruppe Graz liegt bisher noch nicht vor, ist jedoch unverzichtbarer Bestandteil der österreichischen Architekturgeschichte nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg.