The Hundertwasserhaus – a colorful façade à la Gaudí

What was Hundertwasser’s real name and what did his artist’s name mean? Where can we find his signature in Vienna and throughout Austria? What made him so unmistakable? Where and how did he die?

This colorful house façade attracts guests from all over the world. The Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed this house in 1983-85 together with the architect Josef Krawina . It is located in the 3rd district, next to the Hundertwasser Village (café, souvenir stores) and the Art House with more information about Friedensreich Hundertwasser and changing exhibitions.

According to Hundertwasser’s philosophy, nature is an important component of architecture, which is why around 200 trees adorn the house. As in nature, where no two leaves are alike, this is reflected in his architecture. The Hundertwasserhaus is absolutely worth seeing and is a sustainable project from the 1980s. Please note: As this is a residential building, only the façade can be viewed from the outside.

Who was Friedrich Hundertwasser?

Friedrich Stowasser was born in Vienna on December 15, 1928. From 1949 he calls himself Friedensreich Hundertwasser, as “Sto” means hundred in the Slavic language.

In addition to painting, architecture and environmental protection were at the center of his interests. He believed that a straight line would be the downfall of mankind. For this reason, there is no straight line in his art. Instead, he was fascinated by the spiral, which we find again and again in his art. He was a great admirer of Egon Schiele.

He spent a lot of time in nature. Trees, plants and the greening of his properties were very important to him. So were the protection of water and a waste-free society . He expressed his opinion in many letters, manifestos and speeches.

An international artist

Hundertwasser was active in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, as well as internationally in Japan, the USA, Israel and New Zealand. He embellished the Spittelau waste incineration plant and put his trademark cap on it. The Blumau thermal spa complex in Styria is also typical Hundertwasser architecture, as are many other buildings in Japan and New Zealand, where he last lived.

He died on February 19, 2000 on the cruise ship “Queen Elizabeth II” at the age of 71 and left behind a daughter. In accordance with his wishes, his body was buried on his property in New Zealand, wrapped only in a linen cloth, at a depth of 60 centimeters. A tree was planted above it as a symbol of life after death.

Where the colorful municipal building stands today (a memorial plaque commemorates it), there used to be the Gänseweide. It was one of the cruellest execution sites in Vienna, where public burnings took place. From the 14th century onwards, heretics, Jews, witches, “sorcerers”, perjurers and sodomites were burned alive at the stake here.

Time Travel Tip: Take streetcar no. 1 from Schwedenplatz in the direction of Prater and plan a stop at the Hundertwasserhaus (Hetzgasse stop). Then continue to the terminus and walk through the Prater Hauptallee into the amusement park to the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel. This way you can easily combine both attractions.

Next to the façade of the Hundertwasserhaus, you can visit the Kunsthaus (approx. 10 minutes’ walk away), where there is a permanent exhibition about the artist as well as changing exhibitions.

More info: Hundertwasser House – Hundertwasser Krawina House

Image sources: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/wien-hundertwasserhaus-k%C3%BCnstler-1462294/