Kunsthaus Graz

The Kunsthaus Graz was constructed in 2003 as a significant addition to the Capital of Culture year. Since then, it has become widely recognized as the city of Graz’s new architectural icon.The building is part of the Joanneum Universal Museum and its exhibition program focuses on contemporary art from the last five decades.

In its unique form, it stands out from other exhibition buildings for contemporary art, which are typically characterized by the concept of the “white cube.”The building, known as the “Friendly Alien” and designed by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, intentionally stands out in terms of its form and materials. It features biomorphic, round shapes that contrast with the baroque roof landscape, which is characterized by red tiled roofs. However, the building’s facade is in harmony with the nearby Iron House, which was constructed in 1847.

The Kunsthaus Graz can be classified as an example of blob architecture due to its distinctive pneumatic appearance, which is somewhat compromised by the presence of the “needle”. However, from a structural standpoint, the building is actually pierced.The 15 light inlet proboscis nozzles are positioned at an approximate angle of 45° upwards, mostly facing due north, with a few closer to the northwest.The 16th points in a slightly more eastward direction, rather than directly northeast, towards the clock tower on the Schlossberg. It is set at a lower angle and appears more flat.

The Kunsthaus Graz was created with the purpose of serving as a venue for hosting international exhibitions that showcase multidisciplinary, modern, and contemporary art spanning from the 1960s to the present.The organization does not collect or set up permanent exhibitions, nor does it have permanent depots or research facilities.Its sole purpose is to showcase and communicate contemporary artistic creations.

The Kunsthaus incorporates light elements in a specific section of its curved façade, allowing the outer skin of the building to function as a usable screen.The planning and execution were carried out in collaboration with the artists and architects from the realities:united group.The facade of the building on the east side, known as “BIX,” gets its name from a combination of the words “Big” and “Pixel.” It features an acrylic glass skin that extends towards the Mur river and the city center.This large screen serves as an additional medium for art projects, particularly those that involve public space. It is intended to complement the exhibition and enhance the artistic experience.

The BIX media façade is composed of 930 commercially available ring-shaped 40-watt fluorescent tubes that are spread out over an area of 900 m².The illuminants are electronically controlled individually and can be continuously adjusted. Together, they create a large screen capable of displaying moving images.The concavely curved surface’s usability is limited due to its coarse resolution and the restricted visibility of its edge zones.Presentations that include dynamic or animated visuals can be quite impactful. For instance, scrolling text on a screen that measures approximately 60 meters in width and 15 meters in height is highly noticeable and easily visible, especially during dusk.