Graz Kunsthaus | CRAB Studio

The Kunsthaus’ brief reflects the city’s reputation for experimental design. This featured building was commissioned by Graz for its role as European City of Culture 2003. This encouraged the development of a scheme that explores new materials and morphologies and doesn’t hesitate to insert within the baroque pitch-roofed fabric of the town a somewhat alien architectural creature that is nevertheless friendly to its users. While it is certainly not shy in displaying its singularity, it actually takes care to engage with the street life, scale and alignment of the buildings along the river Mur and, through the openness and flexibility of its internal organization, it should also prove to be a malleable object of desire. It is also noteworthy as a pioneer example of integrated responsive facade illumination.