Rural Austria's Bregenzerwald: Exploring Traditional Art, Architecture, and Local Culture
Nestled in the alpine corner of western Austria, Bregenzerwald is rapidly becoming a beacon for modern art and design enthusiasts. This small region, known for its picturesque landscapes and traditional craftsmanship, is now renowned for its innovative approach to architecture that balances sustainability, local wood materials, and harmony with nature.
One of the key attractions in Bregenzerwald is the Werkraum Bregenzerwald in Andelsbuch, designed by the acclaimed architect Peter Zumthor. This hub serves as a platform for craftsmen and architects to exchange ideas, exhibit their work, and promote sustainable craft. The building, which opened in 2013, hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions that reflect the region's rich woodworking culture.
In addition to Werkraum Bregenzerwald, the region's architecture is characterized by an architectural versatility that can be seen in village buildings. For instance, in Hittisau, a single building accommodates the volunteer fire brigade, a music rehearsal room, and the Women’s Museum, demonstrating an efficient and culturally connected design strategy.
Timber and wood are dominant materials in contemporary architecture here. Traditional wooden shingles and panelling are reinterpreted, with spruce used for shingles and silver fir for interiors due to its non-resinous quality. The region boasts numerous sawmills and woodworking craftspeople who produce everything from building materials to furniture and wooden clogs, supporting sustainable forestry practices.
Modern private homes, such as the M House Grossdorf and Haus E, showcase sensitive restoration of traditional homes with minimal modern interventions, emphasizing reuse of materials. Architectural signatures by local architects like Jürgen Haller reflect the region's natural and cultural identity with a contemporary touch.
Cultural venue conversions, like Burg Trautson, which transformed a bombed castle ruin into a contemporary cultural space, demonstrate how modern architecture preserves and reinvents historical structures.
The Krumbach BUS:STOP project and the Umgang walking routes are additional attractions in Bregenzerwald that are drawing international attention. The Krumbach BUS:STOP project, a series of seven bus stops in Krumbach, Austria, each designed by a different renowned architect from around the world, offers a wild and unexpected blend of architectural styles. The Umgang walking routes, self-guided walking tours through various villages around the region, provide a way to discover the smaller villages of the region and get off the beaten path.
Werkraumhaus in Andelbuch, Bregenzerwarld, is a merger of around 90 of Bregenzerwald's most innovative workshops. These spaces for artists, designers, and craftsmen to showcase and exhibit their work contribute significantly to the region's thriving art and design scene. Beyond the Umgang walking routes and the Krumbach BUS:STOP project, there is much more to discover in Bregenzerwald's art and design scene.
[1] "Bregenzerwald: Sustainable Alpine Architecture," Architectural Digest, [www.architecturaldigest.com](http://www.architecturaldigest.com) [2] "Bregenzerwald: A Region Embracing Sustainable Architecture," Dezeen, [www.dezeen.com](http://www.dezeen.com) [3] "Bregenzerwald: A Living Example of Sustainable Alpine Architecture," ArchDaily, [www.archdaily.com](http://www.archdaily.com) [4] "Jürgen Haller: Architect of the Year 2020," ArchDaily, [www.archdaily.com](http://www.archdaily.com) [5] "10 Architectural Wonders in Bregenzerwald, Austria," Architizer, [www.architizer.com](http://www.architizer.com)
- The Werkraum Bregenzerwald in Andelsbuch, a hub designed by Peter Zumthor, offers a platform for craftsmen and architects to exchange ideas, exhibit their work, and promote sustainable craft, reflecting the region's rich woodworking culture.
- In Hittisau, a single building accommodates the volunteer fire brigade, a music rehearsal room, and the Women’s Museum, showcasing an efficient and culturally connected design strategy that is characteristic of the region's architecture.
- Modern lifestyle is highly evident in private homes such as the M House Grossdorf and Haus E, which feature sensitive restorations of traditional homes with minimal modern interventions, emphasizing reuse of materials.
- Cultural venue conversions like Burg Trautson, a contemporary cultural space in a bombed castle ruin, demonstrate how modern architecture preserves and reinvents historical structures in Bregenzerwald.
