Visitors’ Centre, Joanneum Graz

architects: Nieto Sobejano & eep architekten text: György Szegő photos:  Andrea Fábián, György Szegő

Based in Graz, Joanneum celebrated the 200th anniversary of its foundation in 2011. Its founder, grand duke Johann launched the institution as the very first museum of Austria made complete with functions of research, education as well as a botanical garden. Erected by Fischer von Erlach the core building has been extended several times, and the backyard between the two blocks – to some extent as a persiflage of the underground Louvre by I. M. Pei – is now sunken underground based on designs by the Spanish Nieto Sobejano and the Graz-based eep architekten. Designs essentially follow the model of archaic underground structures with atriums sunken between the Baroque/Eclectic-style wings – adjustment is realized with refined means on a „fifth facade”. The overall impression is a genuine landmark spectacle of Graz especially owing to the night view making the perforated architecture scenery-like made complete with the ligh architecture of the pierced roofing/yard.

architects: ARGE Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, eep architekten
static: DI Manfred Petschnigg
structure: Dr. Pfeiler GmbH
electrical engineering: Busz GmbH
fire protection: Norbert Rabl ZT GmbH