Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an artist and architect from Austria, dedicated his entire career to promoting the beauty of organic shapes in contrast to straight lines. Starting in the 1970s, he designed remarkable buildings that embraced curves and harmoniously blended with the natural elements of their surroundings.
In this list, we will explore some of the finest examples of Hundertwasser’s architecture, characterized by floors that are intentionally uneven, one-of-a-kind windows, and unexpected bursts of natural vegetation.
12. Hundertwasserhaus in Bad Soden
The building complex called “Hundertwasser in den Wiesen” is located in a small town called Bad Soden. It was designed to be a condominium with 22 units. The building consists of two parts: a new structure called Hundertwasserhaus and a historic structure, which is the first bath house of Bad Soden.
The design of the building is quite unique and stands apart from the traditional German architecture. It is characterized by elaborate ornamentation of glazed beaded columns, which resemble the onion-shaped gilded domes found in Islamic mosques.
Additionally, the roofs of the building resemble ancient temple architecture and have a baldachin-like appearance.
11. Hundertwasserhaus in Plochingen
The Hundertwasser House in Plochingen catches attention with its unique architecture and art. Inside the complex, there is a beautiful courtyard designed by Hundertwasser. The courtyard has vibrant colors, curved shapes, and interesting balconies supported by ceramic pillars.
There are also decorative ceramic bands representing rain flowing down the building, as well as trees growing from windows and rooftops.
10. KunstHausWien
The KunstHausWien, also known as Art House Vienna, has the unique distinction of being the only place in the world with a permanent exhibition dedicated to Hundertwasser. In addition to this, the museum also showcases temporary exhibitions by other artists.
The building itself is a renovated version of the original 1892 structure that used to be home to the Thonet furniture factory, famous for creating the iconic bistro chair. The renovation was done in Hundertwasser’s signature style, featuring curvy floors and an intentional absence of straight lines.
Interestingly, the KunstHausWien is located less than half a mile away from the well-known Hundertwasserhaus.
9. Uelzen Station
During WWII, the Uelzen railway station suffered extensive damage. However, it was later restored for Expo 2000, according to Hundertwasser’s designs. The Uelzen station has now been rebranded as the Hundertwasser-Bahnhof Uelzen, promoting environmental and cultural values. Today, it serves as a well-liked tourist spot in the town.
8. Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna
The Hundertwasserhaus is a vibrant apartment building located in the Landstraße district near the center of Vienna. It was designed by Hundertwasser in collaboration with architect Krawina. The building consists of 52 apartments, each painted in a different color.
Some apartments extend out from the building and have trees on their roofs, while others have trees growing inside, with branches peeking out of the windows. The construction of this unique apartment building was completed in 1985 and it is now considered a significant part of Vienna’s cultural heritage.
7. Ronald McDonald Haus
The Ronald McDonald House in Essen is part of a network of 16 houses in Germany that offer a place to stay for families with seriously ill children who are being treated at nearby hospitals. This specific house in Essen, which has 17 special rooms, was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Hundertwasser carefully planned every colorful detail in the house to have a purpose, like the wrap-around structure that symbolizes the comfort and support provided to the families, and the trees that grow from the inner walls, representing life and growth.
6. Kuchlbauer Tower
The Kuchlbauer Tower is a tall tower located at the Kuchlbauer Brewery in the town of Abensberg, Germany. It stands at a height of 35 meters (115 feet). The tower was built after the death of Hundertwasser, who was involved in its planning.
Leonhard Salleck, the owner of the brewery, supervised the construction of the tower, with architect Peter Pelikan overseeing the process.
5. Quixote Winery
The Quixote Winery is a unique project located in Napa Valley, California. It is special because it is the only one in the US that was built by an architect named Hundertwasser. Carl Doumani, the owner of the winery, wanted to create a small and eco-friendly winery, so he developed a friendship with Hundertwasser.
The construction process was quite different and took a long time, around 10 years, to finish the entire building. The winery itself has an interesting design with ceramic tiles, columns that are irregularly rounded and painted, and floors purposely made to be uneven.
One of the standout features of the building is a beautiful onion dome covered in gold leaf, which is a dominant element. Additionally, the winery has a living roof that is covered with grass, bushes, and trees, giving it a living and green appearance.
4. Rogner-Bad Blumau
The Rogner-Bad Blumau is a beautiful spa resort located near the town of Bad Blumau in Austria. Its main goal is to achieve a harmonious balance between humans, nature, and architecture. The resort was designed by Hundertwasser, who created a fantastical and whimsical exterior that resembles a fairytale.
Inside, the building features a unique and astonishing design with no straight edges and a labyrinth-like layout. Interestingly, all 2,400 windows in the resort are different from one another. Some of the rooms are located underground and offer views of well-lit courtyards, while others follow the natural curves of the surrounding landscape.
Impressively, the resort utilizes the hot springs in the area not only to provide relaxing thermal baths but also to generate power and heat for the entire facility.
3. Green Citadel
The Green Citadel, also known as Gruene Zitadelle, is located in the center of Magdeburg and was completed in 2005. This architectural masterpiece was the final project created by Hundertwasser.
Originally, he was asked to make changes to a typical East German style house, but as the idea grew, it was decided that a completely new building should be constructed. Not only is the Green Citadel home to a hotel with 42 rooms, each one uniquely designed, but it also houses a theater, offices, shops, a kindergarten, and 55 apartments.
The building acquired its name because of the abundance of trees that can be found in the courtyard, on the various floors, and even on the roof.
2. Hundertwasserkirche
The Hundertwasserkirche or St Barbara Parish Church is a vibrant and joyous place of worship located in Bärnbach, Austria. It was originally constructed in the 1950s and later redesigned by Hundertwasser and architect Manfred Fuchsbichler.
The church boasts an array of beautifully designed features including a unique tower, roof, façades, and golden onion dome. Additionally, the building is surrounded by 12 gates, each symbolizing a major religion or culture.
1. Waldspirale
The Waldspirale, a housing complex in Darmstadt, Germany, was finished in 2000. Its name means forest spiral, referring to its design and green roof. The complex includes 105 apartments, a parking garage, a kiosk, and a café located at the top of the spiral. Each of the over 1000 windows in the Waldspirale is different and unique.
The doors and windows in each apartment have different handles. Some of the apartments are decorated in the personal style of Hundertwasser, displaying colorful tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, which are characteristic of his work.
