Second in size only to Vienna, the Austrian city of Graz is often overlooked by foreign visitors, who tend to stick to the country’s more noted destinations, following the Danube River, the footsteps of Mozart, or the heritage of the Hapsburgs. Few know, however, that the city of Graz sits at the intersection of an intense creative exchange, making it a fabulous destination for anyone passionate about design and contemporary architecture.
It was only during the late ‘90s that Graz began to change face — a transformation owed to several important competitions spurring a citywide overhaul. In this period of aggressive development, the city welcomed the Kunsthaus, a contemporary art museum from British architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, labeled a “friendly alien” by the duo for its soft forms and organic look. The building was so iconic, that by its inauguration in 2003 — the same year Graz was named the European Capital of Culture — it had already become emblematic of the city’s urban identity.
But it’s perhaps Graz’s numerous design events that make the city worthy of a visit, giving life to one of the most vibrant and recognized creative scenes in the world. “Design Month”, for example, now in its 11th edition, engages the creative industry in a rich program between workshops, exhibits, and events.
For those ready to visit Graz, we’ve selected three of our favorite spots in town — each vastly different from the last — where design and contemporary architecture fans will discover an ever-evolving destination to rediscover again and again.
What to See in Graz: Murinsel
Lendkai 19, 8020
“A twisted body, a knot”, said Vito Acconci of his work in Graz, resting on the surface of the Mur River like a transparent cocoon, rolled into the form of a shell and extending from bank to bank.
The piece is presented as a small artificial island enclosing numerous functions: when the structure isn’t being used as a theater, it becomes an everyday space, whose dome acts a bar and restaurant with curved, triangular tables and stools that can be arranged to accomodate groups. Meanwhile, the roof over the entrance forms a lounge wrapping around the dome.
Completed in 2003, Murinsel perfectly represents the work of Acconci, a New York architect and designer, who dedicated himself to design after making history with his unique performances. He was never quite able to abandon the poetic dimension, and it shows here in Graz, where the dome illuminates the river by night, completely blurring its edges in steel, glass, rubber, asphalt, water, and light.
What to See in Graz: Jugendzentrum Echo
Leuzenhofgasse 4, 8020
Making our way north along the river, we reach the Youth Center, revealing a lesser known area of Graz overflowing with green areas and a structure melding to the natural environment despite its limited budget.
The new Echo center was completed in 2017 by Puerstl Langmaier Architekten, in the same spot where the old center was once located. The public building is a hub where teens can meet, hang out, and catch a theatrical show. Here, the main goal is to allow visitors to use the covered areas as they please, giving space for creativity and leaving room for a wide variety of uses. At the same time, the project focuses on creating continuity between interiors and exteriors, nestled between the numerous trees. The structure takes its surroundings into account, facing different points and offering visitors the possibility to admire it from diverse perspectives.
Walls, clad in wood both inside and out, leave plenty of space for light and the natural environment, connecting to the construction both visually and physically, thanks to the many openings on all sides.
What to See in Graz: Jugendzentrum Echo
Hollenegg 1, 8530
No place in town is more adapted to see the most contemporary projects and explore the future of design than an 18th-century castle. It might seem strange, but the castle here in Graz is actually a residence for young artists from around the world, as well as a venue for the design festival. At the helm of the creative celebration is Alice Stori Lichtenstein, curator of Turin’s Operae in 2017, an independent design festival, and the mind behind Alcova Sassetti, an exhibition space created at the most recent Milan Design Week.
In just a 45 minute drive from the center of Graz, visitors can reach the castle — a hub for emerging young creatives engaged in internships and exhibition projects. Throughout the year, the castle also welcomes various events and exhibitions, including the highly anticipated design talks in July. This year's edition looked to uncover the relationship between designers and companies, and the way design — understood as a method or optimization of processes — can be integrated with productive strategies and existing businesses. As far as design exhibitions are concerned, the castle also inaugurated “Ad Mensam” this May, exploring the diverse aspects of human interaction and the rituals of eating through a reflection of tableware design. Here at Hollenegg Castle, curator Alice Stori Lichtenstein leads a rich program of events looking at design through diverse lenses — an absolute must for anyone visiting Graz.
