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• Level of Award:

  Special Award

• Region:

  Austria

• Owner:

  Ars Electronica Linz GmbH

• Entrant:

  Treusch Architecture

• Architect:

  Andreas Treusch

• Primary Use Class:

  D2 Assembly & Leisure

Information about this winner

This building is a delight. Providing a stunning multifunctional exhibition venue, 3D viewing cinemas, restaurant and visitor facilities, this scheme is fresh and exciting. Intriguingly, the existing building is retained within the new extension. Viewed from across the river, the building has been cleverly designed with the middle elevation lowered along the waterfront to allow views to and from the older quayside buildings. An attractive hard landscaped public square has been added adjacent to the historic buildings, which brings life, animation and vibrancy to the river front. The roof of the lower quay side building is used as stepped theatre seating, to view films and light shows electronically projected onto the facade of the glass building. Internally the Ars Electronica building is well designed, acting as a backdrop to the high tech light and animation exhibitions. The restaurant in particular has been well fitted out, and provides excellent views over the Danube and the city with countryside in the distance. The building is fully accessible, and has a double skin, naturally ventilated façade. At night time, the building is electrified and exciting, with its sophisticated display of computerised changing lights. Popular and well used, this project acts as a showcase for Linz, which became City of Culture in January 2009, and will no doubt continue to be an iconic futuristic gateway.