The Salon Stolz, an interactive and inclusive museum dedicated to the music of Graz composer Robert Stolz, has been awarded the prestigious Styrian Architecture Prize, earning €10,000 in prize money. The innovative project, created by Architektursalon and su.n spaceunit.net, transforms a senior residence by integrating a cultural museum into its entrance area.
The project was selected by curators Sevince Bayrak and Oral Göktaş from the architectural firm SO? architecture and ideas, who were commissioned by the State of Styria and the House of Architecture (HDA) to choose this year's winning designs. According to the jury, "This project reveals the strengths of architectural reprogramming, adding an unexpected cultural dimension to the everyday life of a senior residence."
The curators praised the design for interrupting daily routines through curiosity and exchange by incorporating the interactive museum in the entrance area. They noted that the Salon Stolz serves as a compelling example of how small interventions can contribute to broader urban renewal and social engagement. The space invites intergenerational dialogue and shared use – something that architecture often aspires to achieve but rarely implements so organically.
Four additional projects received recognition alongside the main prize winner. The Kapfenberg City Hall by tmp architekten was acknowledged for its meticulous efforts to preserve an iconic building. The LFS Grottenhof by Caspar Wichert Architektur and OSNAP Open South North Architecture Practice stood out for successfully integrating the existing landscape with the built environment.
The AHS Reininghaus by j-c-k and Sandra Janser was recognized as an outstanding example of how architecture can respond to an evolving educational paradigm that can no longer rely solely on traditional, frontal learning methods. Finally, a private treehouse by konstruktiv Studio für Architektur, designed as a tourist offering for an agricultural operation in Dobl-Zwaring, was praised for providing a compelling vision of how architecture can harmonize with and enrich non-traditional forms of tourism.
The Styrian Architecture Prize highlights the region's commitment to innovative architectural solutions that serve both functional and social purposes. These winning projects demonstrate how thoughtful design can enhance community engagement, preserve cultural heritage, and adapt to changing societal needs while maintaining harmony with their surrounding environments.
