ARCHITECTURE IN LOWER AUSTRIA 1986-1997

The county of Lower Austria, formerly the countryside surrounding Vienna, has undergone a step-by-step emancipation during the 20th century that has quite recently culminated with the selection of St. Polten as its capital (replacing Vienna). And, consequentially, this has necessitated the construction of an appropriate government quarter. The region, marked by suburban sprawl and industrial zones, was considered an architectural wasteland until just recently. During the past couple of years, however, several buildings have been erected that need not shy away from the international comparison. Well-known architects such as Coop Himmelb(l)au, Hermann Czech, Ernst Hiesmayr, Hans Hollein, Klaus Kada, Adolf Krischanitz, Laudris Ortner, Gustav Peichl, Boris Podrecca, Elsa Prochazka, Anton Schweighofer, Karla Szyszkowitz & Michael Kowalski, and Heinz Tesar have, with one or several buildings, made a first mark in Lower Austria. Also, younger architects, mainly from Lower Austria, have created sensible buildings of a high design quality and technical perfection. Among them are: Ernst Beneder, Walter Ifsits, Paul Katzberger & Karin Bily, Adolph H. Kelz, Gerhard Lindner, Michael Loudon, Elena & Alois Neururer, Rudolf Prohazka and Franziska Ullmann. And a new generation of young architects has already completed its journeyman's work and is ready to join the ranks.