ARENA VIENNA Culture Centre
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
RATAPLAN’s phased revitalisation concept of “Arena Wien” from 1994 was based on the spirit of the place’s socio-political history and inheritance of the 1970s: The former abattoir was successfully squatted by the “Arenauten” and became a place for cultural and artistical activities. Part of the architectural concept was to hand over the building in a “semi-complete” condition, so that final tasks could be carried out by the “Arenauten’s” successors. The last phase was completed in March 2018.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The conception of the refurbishment is predicated on the spirit of the St Marx export abattoir from 1908 and its socio-political history of the 1970s: Successfully squatted, the ‘Arenauten’ started the ARENA in 1977. Since than it has been a place for cultural and artistical activities and exchanges particularly for fringe groups. It was essential to create the low-cost-revitalization financed by the Vienna municipal authorities together with the Arena people. Some of the historic monuments are under a preservation order and made of exposed brickwork, while new components clearly stand out from the old ones (Cf. Robert Temel, Kulturzentrum Arena Wien. Kollektivität, Gleichberechtigung & Rollentausch, 2010.):
The “clasp” between the open-air area and the “large hall” is the only new part to be integrated as the heart of the design. As a sculptural element this component made of exposed concrete functionally connects the exterior with the interior. It can be accessed and used on several levels and offers surprising views, insights and perspectives. The aim was to secure the identity as well as the unmistakable character of the cultural centre from an architectural point of view. Consequently, part of the architectural concept of RATAPLAN was to hand over the building in a ‘semi-complete’ condition, so that final works could be carried out by the Arena people themselves.
The architecture studio RATAPLAN has been working since 1994 on the phased conversion of the area. Central topics ranged from structural modifications of the open-air terrain to improve noise insulation to installing lavatories, reconstructing the main and the secondary hall and renewing the sewer rehabilitation. The last phase was completed in March 2018.
Key objectives for sustainability
The old brick building was not only squatted and in this means saved from being demolished. The building complex, which has meanwhile been declared an industrial monument, is one of the epitomes of the Austrian youth and cultural scene. The intensive use as a cultural site, which has been going on for over four decades, guarantees further decades of survival – both that of the existing building and that of the association. The rooms and their functions function not only as an event center but also as a learning center: Event technologies such as lighting, sound and stage technology are learned and passed on to the next generation. Technical and professional know-how is transported and institutionalized. This gives people from marginalized groups the opportunity to gain a foothold in the system and to reintegrate into society.
As a low-budget project, the intensive examination of the existing building and the active participation of the “Arenauts” contribute to economical use, albeit with the result of the highest architectural quality. The importance of the historic building for the members of the association guarantees stability and implies sustainability in every respect.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The existing buildings from 1908/09, some of which are under a preservation order are all made of exposed brickwork, accordingly the new building elements also display their materials while still clearly distinguish themselves from the existing fabric – the surfaces are exposed concrete, steel and glass, but inside the halls themselves aesthetic notions about materials were subjected to a coat of black paint, which had become kind of iconic for youth cultures throughout the ages. (Cf. Robert Temel, Kulturzentrum Arena Wien. Kollektivität, Gleichberechtigung & Rollentausch, 2010.)
RATAPLAN took care to preserve the subversive character and authenticity of the place. In their projects, the architects pay respect to old structures, allowing their quality to appear and engage in a dialogue with the new means. The fine building shell that was implemented in the ARENA was given a certain hardness that was appropriate to the place and the dynamism necessary to allow the project to develop further – for example through graffiti, which is now partially protected. (Cf. Michaela Putz, HerzBlut. Architektur in progress 1997–2017, 2019.)
The old and the new materials started a dialogue and still are discussing the needs of the next generations which are growing inside the building – this is also possible as the building, phase by phase, was handed over to the users to finalize and improve and claim their own goals.
The Arena Wien is still a growing and living space and has become a very important part of Austrian youth culture.
Key objectives for inclusion
In the summer of 1976 the St Marx export abattoir measuring 70,000 m² in area was to be used for a final time for events that formed the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) and then demolished. But on the 27th of June 1976 the occupation began. In Vienna in the 1970s, there was a lack of places for youth, alternative and counterculture. There was no year-round alternative cultural center for young people. The Arena Wien was to be prevented from becoming a shopping mall after it had been rebuilt. The “Arenauten”, several artists' groups and their public occupied the building. The squatters kept up their resistance over the summer but were finally cleared out and the demolition work started. Yet, the Vienna municipal authorities offered them the nearby domestic abattoir which was only around 7.600 square metres in area. Cultural activities started in 1977, more or less in the form of a squat, which under the pressure of a “new” youth movement achieved legal status from 1980 onwards. (Cf. Robert Temel 2010.)
The non-profit-oriented association “Verein Forum Arena Wien” regards it as its task to promote youth and social work. Many people from marginalized groups who had no place in ‘the system’ experienced and learned new goals and tasks within the group. Accordingly it was essential to create the low-cost-revitalization financed by Vienna municipal authorities together with the Arena people, because they would never have accepted an architecture with perfect details and smooth surfaces. After all RATAPLAN took part in the plenums that were held, together with the organizers, artists, the building authorities and all those who were involved in the project as users. Regular contact and intensive cooperation with the “Arenauten” and the client created extraordinary solutions and led to the preservation of the identity and the subcultural character of the cultural site. Phase by phase the fine shell was handed over to the users who therefore were able to their own needs.
Results in relation to category
The arena has been a platform for cultural and social activities for over 45 years by now. Concerts, solidarity events, clubbing, international top acts, parties, events by aspiring organizers, festivals, open airs, as well as open-air cinema in summer and much more demonstrate the variety of possibilities that the former slaughterhouse now offers as a fixed point in Vienna's event scene. The highly appreciated “Arena Beisl” (Pub) is open every day as it is independent of the event management within the venue. As a non-profit association the aim of the place and the people who run the facilities is to stick together in solidarity and they regularly carry out provisional adaptations by themselves – but in fact a slightly down-at-heel quality has always been a part of the spirit of Arena Wien. The “Arenauten” took care of bars, various pieces of furniture, but also some lighting and stage equipment were designed by the operators and made by themselves. Together they worked on the design of the open spaces, planted trees to provide shade and greened the railing with climbing plants. From year to year new pieces of Graffiti cover the large facades and symbolize the self-determination and the non-commercial orientation of the association members. Meanwhile certain murals were even put under a preservation order (Mozart Graffiti), but this speaks for the spirit of the place, which has become what it is through the people who use it, pass it on and protect it at the same time: a cultural, socio-political, historical and architecturally valuable monument.
How Citizens benefit
One of the goals of the redesign was to appeal to a wider audience and improve acceptance in the neighborhood. In addition, the intention was to promote the upgrading of this district under development in conjunction with the newly adapted gasometers in the immediate vicinity. In order to meet this requirement profile, RATAPLAN developed a concept that offers maximum flexibility with regard to the usability of rooms and parts of the building as well as a restaurant with an outdoor dining area, terrace and kitchen.
A place for diversity had been created – whether commercial or non-mainstream events – now old and young, artists and office workers, rich and poor, parents and children meet and use the place at the same time or independently as required.
But the Arena Wien always was and still is a place of culture and confrontation – not only for visitors. For those marginalized people who have found their way into the arena, it is a place of learning and an identity-creating forum at the same time. Due to the socio-political background of youth work, people who do not correlate with the current system can be reintegrated into society. They learn the professional craft of organizing and running events; learn everything to do with stage, lighting and sound technology and receive responsibility and self-worth through grassroots access to make decisions together. Protest and discussion of the past create responsibility and have a preventive effect against radicalization.
Innovative character
From the beginning, joint decisions by the different user groups, the architecture office and the public client led to planning results and solutions. Similar to integral planning, this process may not have been new, but the multitude and heterogeneity of those involved in the project were brilliant. The merging of building owners with representatives of the building authorities and the authority for monument protection and preservation, as well as with dozens of organizers, musicians, Graffiti artists, social workers and other “Arenauten” gave the project a depth that was only possible through the jointly made planning-relevant decisions. The experience of sitting at the table together in order to create homogeneous solutions and results with various decision-makers had a significantly positive effect on the renovation and redesign of the historic building. The old historical building stock of the former slaughterhouse could be preserved and continued as a monument – thanks to the new use as a culture and communication center. A new aspect for RATAPLAN, which was added by the co-determination of all those involved, highlighted the possibility of handing over the project in an “unfinished” state: the “shell” completed by the experts was taken over by the users as a fine shell, adapted and tailored to their needs further developed.
