Best of Austria ― Architecture 2012-13

Architekturzentrum Wien (Az W – Vienna Centre of Architecture) is a publicly funded institution with the aim to present and document modern and contemporary Austrian and international architecture. Since its opening in 1993, Az W has gained international recognition for its work and exhibitions.

The series Best of Austria is initiated and sponsored by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Art and Culture. Since 2008, the biennially published volumes present award-winning buildings by Austrian architects and projects by foreign architects realized in Austria. Covered are all architecture prizes that have been awarded by public and private institutions or corporations in Austrian. Thereby each volume provides an up-to-date survey of contemporary architecture and building culture in Austria.

The presentation of buildings is structured in ten categories:

Living [i.e. multi-unit residential architecture]

Tourism, Leisure

Culture

Single family house

Industry, Trade, Commerce

Public Space, Infrastructure

Education

Public Buildings

Office, Administration

Actors [i.e. persons, institutions, towns or boroughs etc. that have been awarded prizes]

The latest edition features around 170 projects that were completed in 2012 and 2013. Each is presented with 2–3 images and a floor plan, section or elevation as well as brief descriptive texts. A critical essay on contemporary Austrian architecture and building culture, a comprehensive index of all featured projects and architectural firms, and information on all architecture awards rounds out the book.

Featured architects include some internationally renowned names such as Coop Himmelblau, Hermann Kaufmann, Riegler Riewe Architekten, Hermann Czech, Rainer Koberl, Adolf Krischanitz, Marte.Marte Architekten, Riepl Riepl Architekten, Bernardo Bader (all Austria); Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos (Spain); Peter Zumthor (Switzerland).

Texts are contributed by Klaus-Jurgen Bauer, Sonja Bettel, Robert Fabach, Barbara Feller, Eva Guttmann, Manuela Hotzl, Anne Isopp, Gabriele Kaiser, Elke Krasny, Marion Kuzmany, Isabella Marboe, Norbert Mayr, Astrid Meyer-Hainisch, Romana Ring, Robert Temel, and Nicola Weber. Critical essay by Vera Grimmer.