Hundertwasserhaus
-
Opened in March 1986, this fairytale-like house with onion spires, green roof and a multicoloured façade is one of the city’s most frequented landmarks. It was designed by the flamboyant Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser as a playful take on usually dull council (social) housing. In all his work Hundertwasser wanted to show that practical could also be beautiful. Today almost 200 people live in the 50 apartments, each of which has an individual decoration. Shrubs and trees on the balconies and roof gardens bring nature closer to city dwellers.
If making a visit to the Hundertwasserhaus, remember to respect the fact that these are private residences and remain unobtrusive.
-
1. Façade
1. FaçadeThe front of the house presents itself in bright shades of blue, yellow, red and white and each differently coloured section marks one apartment. What also springs to the visitor’s eye are the many trees on the rooftop.
-
2. Main Entrance
2. Main EntranceSituated on Löwengasse, the main entrance is an open section leading to the inner courtyard of the building. The apartments above the main entrance are supported by colourful pillars. In front of the entrance is an attractive little fountain.
-
3. Onion Towers
Two golden glistening onion towers top the Hundertwasserhaus and lend the building an Oriental, romantic quality.
-
4. Irregular Windows
As Hundertwasser believed windows constitute a house’s soul, all of them vary in size and shape. Each of them is framed by a complementary colour.
-
5. Roof Gardens
Each of the apartments has access to a little piece of nature in the form of roof gardens and balconies that are scattered all over the building. The gardens have some 250 large trees, trimmed shrubs and a grass lawn.
-
6. Ceramic Line
The size of every apartment is visible as it is marked by an uneven line of ceramic tiles.
-
7. Decorations
The Hundertwasserhaus is decorated with various ornaments such as black, white and golden tiles. Statues placed on the corners of the balconies, painted animals and plants on the corridor walls, and roof gardens enhance the cheerfulness of the place.
-
8. Pillars
8. PillarsA prominent feature of the Hundertwasserhaus is the range of brightly coloured, irregularly shaped, shiny pillars. Some of these pillars are integrated in the building and function as mere decoration, while others are more practical, supporting the gallery that runs along the first floor of the block.
-
9. Glass Front
The two towers of the house – those crowned by the onion domes – host the central staircase. Thanks to the glass fronts, by day they are always light and airy.
-
10. Pavement
10. PavementThe area around Löwengasse is pedestrianized with relaxed seating and elegant lampposts.
Advertisement
-
-
Merry in Madrid
travel
-
New York festivities
travel
-
Christmas in Vienna
travel
-
Washington, D.C. guide
michae
-
-
-
Venice Guide
BillZi
-
Barty's guide
gringo
-
Beijing guide
Dave P
-
Yerom's Orlando guide
Yerom
-
Mike & Kat's Rome guide
behemo
-




Get DK Top Ten Travel Guides on your iPhone & iPod Touch!




symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.