Prelude for the
Cultural Capital Linz 09

The Ars Electronic Center - a central project of the Cultural Capital Linz 09 - with its imposing glass and steel construction is not only a sculpture but also a functional apparatus as a media facade for the city. 100 glass elements create the projection surface for 40,000 LED lamps. Visual effects as an interface for artists and curators communicate the fundamental concept of the AEC. Art, technology and society. Exhibitions at the AEC will use the envelope of the building to communicate current themes to the public and visitors.

The guiding idea for the concept was the development of the expansion as a sculptural building and as an open system which reflects messages and provides space for all kinds of exhibits, projections and lighting scenarios. The new building fuses with the existing structure. The multi-level main and support building is constructed as a double-skin glass cube and abuts the existing AEC.

Glass as a projection surface

The cube was clad with a total of 4,500 m² STADIP laminated safety glass – all individual sheets of PLANIDUR – whereby about 80 % is used as a projection surface. The exemplary envelope took many tries to achieve optimisation of the glass panels. The translucent decorative appearance is formed by the use of SGG MASTER-POINT. The alternating transparent or matt effects in the facade surfaces are backlit at night, creating a transparent light sculpture with very distinct features. The AEC also enhances the Urfahr district of Linz, becoming a landmark on the cityscape - a tower of light in dialogue with the vis-a-vis location of the Lentos Art Museum.

Photos: © AEC Presse (01-07, 23-27), © Rupert Steiner (08-15), © Andreas Buchberger (16-22)