Lecture
Az W Classics: Gunther Wawrik ‘Architecture and Pleasure’
Az W Classics: Gunther Wawrik 'Architecture and Pleasure'
© Margherita Spiluttini
Dietmar Steiner, Direktor Az W, welcome address
Hermann Czech, architect, introduction
Gunther Wawrik ‘Architecture and Pleasure’, lecture
Gunther Wawrik studied architecture at Vienna University of Technology from 1948–1958. Back in the 1960s he influenced the Viennese circle of architects with his office partner Hans Puchhammer. The encounter with Konrad Wachsmann was essential to his engagement with system building — as it was for many of his colleagues. The terraced Goldtruhe housing estate (1964) was one of the first vertically condensed housing developments offering a very high standard of living. With the Landesmuseum in Eisenstadt (1966) Gunther Wawrik succeeded in producing an outstanding example for building in the exiting substance. The mediation of architecture is a key interest of his, and accordingly under his chairmanship of the ÖGfA the journal UMBAU was launched, which continues to this day. From 1980 Wawrik ran his own office in Vienna. In 1985 he was appointed to teach at the Fachhochschule München. With his office building in Berlin from 1996 (with L.Beringer) and in 1999 the mortuary chapel in Gräfelfing (D) Wawrik showed his ability independent of the scale.
Gunther Wawrik celebrates his 80th birthday on 07.10 — we offer our congratulations, followed by a party to celebrate!