Architekturzentrum Wien

About the museum

Architekturzentrum Wien was founded in 1993 on the initiative of the federal government and the City of Vienna as a non-profit association. It is Austria's only museum dedicated entirely to architecture, and since its beginnings has asked how building and urban development shape people's everyday lives.

After eight years in a provisional space, the house was significantly enlarged and reopened in 2001 with completion of MuseumsQuartier. That same year the café-restaurant was created according to designs by Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal, who two decades later received the Pritzker Prize. Founding director Dietmar Steiner led Az W until 2016, then Angelika Fitz took over; from 2027 Doris Kleilein follows.

The house became known for thematic exhibitions such as on Soviet Modernism, building in Vienna during Nazi times and a series of solo shows about female architects. The collection now includes over 110 estates and bequests as well as numerous project collections and is considered the most comprehensive collection of Austrian 20th and 21st century architecture. Since February 2022 the collection exhibition 'Hot Questions – Cold Storage' shows many of these originals on an ongoing basis; it replaced the chronologically structured 'a_schau' visible from 2004 to 2021. The program also includes the public Dietmar Steiner Library, excursions and annually several hundred events.

Highlights

• Collection exhibition 'Hot Questions – Cold Storage' with models, plans and furniture
• Largest collection of Austrian 20th and 21st century architecture
• Café-restaurant by Lacaton & Vassal
• Dietmar Steiner Library in historic octagon
• Architecture excursions through Vienna
• Workshops for children and families in workshop space

Permanent exhibition

• Hot Questions – Cold Storage. Die Schausammlung des Architekturzentrum Wien – Models, plans, furniture, fabrics, documents and films from Az W collection tell Austrian architectural history in seven chapters – from Red Vienna to ecological building, each starting from a current question.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Architekturzentrum Wien (gemeinnütziger Verein)

Director

Angelika Fitz

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 1 May and 26 October; Wednesday 17–20 for students and students

Free admission also for children under 6, Culture Pass holders and ICOM card, tour guides and job seekers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

All exhibition rooms barrier-free accessible; accessible toilets in lecture room and café. Assistance dogs allowed. Disabled parking directly next to Az W in MuseumsQuartier. Exhibition texts and visitor information in plain language, tours and excursions in plain language as well as own offerings for blind and visually impaired (registration via anmeldung@azw.at).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Regular 'Archikids' workshops Saturday afternoon for children from 6 with family: after a tour, building takes place in the workshop space with various materials. Registration via anmeldung@azw.at.

Getting there & parking

Entrance in MuseumsQuartier courtyard; bicycle parking in Az W courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café-restaurant at Az W (architecture by Lacaton & Vassal). Shop with catalogs, architecture books, posters and gift items, open daily during museum hours, plus online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 320 guests.

Podium, gallery and café-restaurant for 20 to 320 people, such as seminars, conferences, presentations, corporate celebrations or private parties in café; on request with exhibition tour.

Plan your visit