Often referred to as the “City of Music,” Vienna stands as a living testament to architectural evolution across centuries. Bring together an array of styles, ranging from the grandeur of Baroque palaces to the innovative Art Nouveau designs and the Vienna Secession movement, visitors are drawn to the city for its architectural marvels. Vienna's eventful past is reflected in its architectural landscape, which has withstood wars, imperial expansions, and the changes of numerous artistic trends while managing to maintain its unique identity as a symbol of resilience and reinvention.
From Adolf Loos, whose radical ideas challenged the trends of his time, to Otto Wagner, a pioneer of Viennese Modernism, Vienna's architectural legacy continued to evolve. Fast-forwarding to contemporary times, Vienna's skyline bears the mark of internationally renowned architects like Zaha Hadid, whose fluid and futuristic designs push the boundaries of architecture. Hadid's work, including the Library and Learning Center at the University of Economics and Business, offers a dynamic contrast to the city's historic landscape. Moreover, firms like CRAB Studio, founded by Sir Peter Cook and Gavin Robotham, bring experimentalism to Vienna's architecture, infusing contemporary concepts into the urban fabric. These architects and firms contribute to Vienna's architectural richness, adding new chapters to its storied history while honoring its innovation and artistic legacy.
Read on to discover 21 of Vienna's architectural attractions.
WU Executive Academy / NO.MAD
The Metropolitan Apartments / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects
Library and Seminar Centre BOKU Vienna / SWAP Architekten + DELTA
Refurbishment Philips-Haus / Josef Weichenberger Architects
Forum am Seebogen Apartments / heri&salli
Haas Haus / Hans Hollein
Majolikahaus / Otto Wagner
Florasdorfer Spitz Building / Freimüller Söllinger Architektur + Studio Vlay Streeruwitz
Housing in Anton-Schall-Gasse / trans_city / Christian Aulinger, Mark Gilbert
Wotruba Church / Fritz Wotruba
Hundertwasser House
IKEA Store / Querkraft
DC Towers I / Dominique Perrault Architecture
Library and Learning Centre University of Economics Vienna / Zaha Hadid Architects
Departments Of Law And Central Administration / CRAB Studio
Vienna's Gasometer Buildings
The Rathaus / Friedrich Schmidt
St. Peter’s Church
Karl Marx Hof / Karl Ehn
Spittelau Viaducts / Zaha Hadid Architects
Secession Building / Joseph Maria Olbrich
You can visit our list of Architecture City Guides.
