Contemporary Villas in Austria
Negar Hakim | Editorial – Guest Editor
Today, Austria is a relatively small and-mountainous country in the heart of Europe, with a
population exceeding nine million. However, a century ago, it was a vast empire, stretching
from the Ottoman borders in the east to the Germany territories in the west, and encompassing
northern regions of ltaly and ports along the Adriatic Sea in the south. Within this expansive
domain, an aristocratic and noble class thrived, accompanied by the establishment of prestigious
universities that nurtured the emergence of elite architects. The fruits of their creative and ambitious endeavors are evident m the construction of Viennas historic core.
After the First World War and the downfall of the empire, Austria faced internal disintegration
and significant decline. However, it still managed to maintain a prominent position in modern
architecture, thanks to the efforts of its young architects. Notable names such as Adolf Loos, Otto
Wagner, and Josef Hoffmann emerged durring this period. These architects were primarily focused
on finding innovative solutions for mass construction, aiming to provide modern affordable and
unconventional housing for the lower and working classes. Their progressive approach gained
international recognition, positioning Austrian architecture as a leader in the field.
Gabriel Guevrekian, an lranian-Armenian architect who studied in Vienna and grew up in this
dynamic environment, returned to Iran in the 1930s and became a pioneer in constructing the
first modern villas in Tehran. The latter half of the century witnessed the Austrian architectural
scene embracing postmodernism, with architects like Hans Hallein, recipient of the 1985 Pritzker
Prize and designer of the Abgineh museum, Qajarian Villa in Tehran, as well as Wolf dPrix and
Günther Domenig, who played pivotal roles in the deconstructionist movement. As we entered
the 21st century, a new generation of Austrian architects demonstrated their ability to meet
the expectations of the architectural community, creating progressive works that built upon the
illustrious projects of their country´s past.
In this monograph edition, we provide an overview of the eco efforts of Austrian architects
through villa projects, experimental houses, and future prototypes, showcasing them as an
ideal setting for architectural practices. By incorporating additional materials and interviews,
our aim is to offer a comprehensive and holistic portrayal of this subject matter. Naturally, fully
encapsulating the breadth of villa ideology and typology within Austria’s vast landscape in a
single issue is inherently challenging. Therefore, we anticipate revisiting this topic in subsequent
publications,
