The Architekturzentrum Wien is turning 20! Exactly the right time for a special exhibition that directs the spotlight on the previously unknown Az W collection. From spring 2013 a show of the most interesting objects in the collection will make ‘Az W Gold. The Collection’ both accessible and visible.

For more than ten years the Architekturzentrum Wien has operated an active collecting policy that focuses on Austrian architecture after 1945. Thus the Az W is the only institution in Austria intensively involved in documenting and preserving the architectural legacy of the last 70 years up to the present day. The collection of the Architekturzentrum Wien consists of historically relevant donations and bequests, the Achleitner Archive, and a large collection of individual projects. By now this collection has grown to include more than 50 donations and bequests from famous architects (Raimund Abraham, arbeitsgruppe 4, Bogdan Bogdanović, Oswald Haerdtl, Wilhelm Holzbauer, Viktor Hufnagl, Eilfried Huth, Josef Lackner, Lukas Lang, Walter Loos, Eva und Karl Mang, Rainer Pirker, Hans Puchhammer, Hans Purin, Helmut Richter, Anton Schweighofer, Johannes Spalt, Heinz Tesar, Jan Turnovský, Ottokar Uhl, Rudolf Wäger, Gunther Wawrik, Traude und Wolfgang Windbrechtinger, Eugen Wörle, Gunter Wratzfeld and many more). The collection of individual projects is also being expanded continuously. The Az W regularly accepts key projects of Austrian architecture – also from the very recent past – and in this way ensures the future of the architectural legacy as a basis for our national identity.

The anniversary exhibition ‘Az W Gold. The Collection’ uses design drawings, plans, sketch books, photos and models to document important epochs in the history of Austrian architecture and includes exceptional designs, pioneering buildings, previously little known gems and unique buildings, mostly by Austrian architects. The exhibition shows not only the highlights of the Az W collection, but also gives visitors a comprehensive view behind the scenes of archive work and takes a look at the origins of donations and bequests and the tools that are needed to process them. The very latest accessions are also presented.

From the very start involving the public was a main aim in order to bring the Az W Gold closer to as many people as possible. More than 630 people interested in architecture contributed by voting for their favourite project from the Az W Collection. The Az W Gold presents visitors with an opportunity to take an open look at the entire architectural inheritance, as a discovery, a statement and a confirmation.
/ Curators of the exhibition: Sonja Pisarik, Monika Platzer, Katrin Stingl, Ute Waditschatka / Exhibition design: BWM Architekten und Partner
Exhibition graphics: Perndl+Co