Günther Domenig
(1934-2012)

Dezeen Wire: Austrian architect Günther Domenig, one of the founding partners of Graz studio Domenig & Wallner, has passed away at the age of 77.

He most famously designed the Z-bank in Vienna, as well as his own house at Lake Ossiach.

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Here’s a statement from fellow Austrian architect Wolf D. Prix of Coop Himmelb(l)au:

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Domenig and the Austrian Architecture

On YouTube the famous American Rapper Ice Cube can be viewed while he is explaining the Eames House in LA in a competent way. I am questioning myself, whether a similar scene would be possible in Austria: DJ Ötzi or the Trackshittaz explain Günther Domenigs Steinhaus. Answer: no.

The word “important” as preliminary stage to being a star is used in an inflationary way today. Nevertheless I insist that Günther Domenig was one of the most important Austrian architects.

Important in terms of being weighty. In my opinion the former Z-Bank branch in the Favoritenstraße in Vienna was one of his best buildings.

Long before the convoluted computer architects started using parametric tools to give their lame design a boost, Domenig had not only designed the first threedimensional facade, but actually built it, too.

Himself, he has never differed from architecture and art, has been able to achieve a building that is uncompromising – located in the baroque thought – creating expressive space sequences and therefore connotes an important contribution to the Austrian Architecture.

It’s amazing, that this building has only been possible in a peripheral district, and not in the city center of Vienna.

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