Every year, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS) awards the Hans Hollein Art Prize for Architecture. In 2023, Auböck + Kárász Landscape Architects can look forward to receiving the state prize, which is endowed with 15,000 euros.
This year's Hans Hollein Art Prize for Architecture went to Auböck + Kárász Landscape Architects. The firm was also involved in the reconstruction and design of the Belvedere Gardens in Vienna. Photo: Gugerell, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
High-quality spaces for people and nature
Their work enriched urban planning with ecological issues and thus broadened the design and action horizon of architecture, the jury emphasized in its statement. For the first time, the award is opening up in the direction of landscape design and urban development. In view of the climate crisis we are heading towards, it is becoming increasingly important to create high-quality spaces for both people and nature and to enable new forms of dialog between the two.
A comprehensive perspective
More than ever, it is important to adopt a comprehensive perspective, as Auböck and Kárász do in their work. Existing and future urban structures benefit from the studio’s projective approach to the profound historical knowledge of its founders. According to the jury, Auböck and Kárász are continuously committed to dealing with the architectural and landscape architectural heritage and at the same time contribute important impulses to current discourses in teaching or within the framework of the ZV – Zentralvereinigung für Architekt:innen.
Hans Hollein Art Prize: recognition and appreciation
Andrea Mayer, State Secretary for Art and Culture at the BMKÖS, is satisfied: “Austrian art and culture is an essential element of our society. It enriches, stimulates and inspires and offers us a mirror for our own reflection. Without this creative force, Austria would not be the art nation for which our country is internationally recognized. The Austrian Art Prize is recognition and appreciation of the extraordinary achievements of our artists. I warmly congratulate all the prizewinners.”
Hans Hollein Art Prize for Architecture for projects of international significance
The Austrian Hans Hollein Art Prize for Architecture has been awarded annually since 2016 to extensive projects of international significance. The winners are selected exclusively by a jury of experts; it is not possible to apply for the prize.
Auböck + Kárász Landscape Architects, based in Vienna, was founded by landscape architect and university professor Maria Auböck and architect and social scientist János Kárász. You can find out more on the firm’s website.
Did you know? We have made a whole issue about Austria, because few other countries have attracted attention in recent years with so many apparently very good and courageous planning impulses. We took a closer look at the cities of Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Vienna. Find out more about the February 2022 issue in the editorial.
A