Günther Domenig
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Günther Domenig (born 6 July 1934 in Klagenfurt) is an Austrian architect.
Domenig studied architecture at the Technische Universität, Graz (1953-1959), and after working as an architectural assistant, set up in practice with Eilfried Huth (1963-1973), producing highly regarded buildings in a brutalist vein. Domening's first internationally acclaimed completed work was the Z-bank in Vienna, which signalled a much more expressionistic, counter-modernist aesthetic. Domenig's subsequent work has been important, particularly in the exploration of free flowing, highly modelled but technically precise architecture which has achieved a wide acceptance for commercial and public commissions (as in, for example, the work of Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind).
A group of architects based in Graz achieved recognition following the 'Grazer Schule' exhibition and widely disseminated catalogue (published 1984), with Domening the most significant member in terms of built works and international standing.
Domenig's own house, the 'Steinhaus' on a lake near Klagenfurt, became a personal manifesto. Over the many years of its construction, it was both an outlet for his technical and formal experimentation, and a focus for his architectural aspirations. The Steinhaus has become a cultural icon, having hosted concerts, been the subject of television and art projects, and having featured in many books and magazines.
In the wider world, Domenig has produced many notable buildings, with clients as diverse as schools, banks, local authority social housing departments, and difficult projects such as the Dokumentationszentrum (Documentation Centre, 1999) in Nürnberg adjacent to Albert Speer's Nazi Party Congress complex.
In addition to his practice, Domenig was also appointed Professor at the Technische Univerität, Graz in 1980.
Main works
- 1963-68 Pedagogic Academy, Graz (with Eilfried Huth)
- 1965-69 Parish centre, Oberwart (with Eilfried Huth)
- 1973-77 Multi-purpose school hall, Graz
- 1974-79 Zentralsparkasse bank, Vienna
- 1980- Steinhaus, Steindorf
- 1987 Funder Factory (Funder Werk II), St Veit
- 1993-96 RESOWI-Zentrum (university building), Karl Franzens Universität,Graz
- 1998 Documentation Centre, Nürnberg
- 2004 T-Center (headquarters building), Vienna (with Hermann Eisenköck, Herfried Peyker)
