“Work, work and build a little house“ – a Vorarlberg saying that is a motto for life, as house building is part of the Vorarlberg identity. The reasons for this lie in the Vorarlbergers view of themselves that is marked from an early stage by self-reliance. Respect for tradition and a willingness to integrate the new are long established characteristics: they were evident in the era of the Vorarlberg Baroque architects, the age of industrialisation from the 19th century onwards and the period of prosperity that began in the second half of the 20th century. International trade relations, openness and a readiness to reach consensus have shaped the culture and society of this region, providing the basis on which architecture in Vorarlberg has developed into a general cultural phenomenon. Hardly any other geographic unit in Europe has such a diverse <strong>land</strong>scape as Vorarlberg, where five geological zones meet on an area of only 2 600 km 2 to create a rich variety of scenery. 67 percent of the population lives between Lake Constance, the Rheintal and the Walgau, whereas the hills of the Bregenzerwald and the craggy mountains Arlberg, Silvretta and Rätikon are thinly settled. Here green <strong>land</strong>, woods and rock, farming and tourism are dominant. Architecture tourists in a hurry generally allow too little time for the varied beauty of the <strong>land</strong>scape and the cultivated hospitality. The other 1.7 million guests are better off: in both summer and winter they enjoy a wide range of sport and recreation facilities offering excellent value for money. They could also appreciate the subtle beauty and the high degree of functionality of contemporary architecture as demonstrated in numerous cultural and tourist buildings, whether it be in the context of the Bregenz Festival, the Schubertiade or the Feldkirch Festival. Exhibitions of international artists in the Kunsthaus Bregenz, over 50 museums, traditional customs and modern art, all make a visit well worthwhile. “Le Vorarlberg est une exception culturelle.“ (d´Architectures, Juin/Juillet 2003) The term “Vorarlberger Bauschule“ describes a phenomenon that emerged in the early 1960s around a number of independent individuals. The pragmatic application of a vision and the rediscovery of traditional qualities were gradually combined to shape a broad movement. This development was not the product of the architects alone, the idealism and involvement of the men and women who commissioned them also played an important role. Unusually economic and compact solutions were found that expressed both the architects' own ideas and concepts from the international discourse, using simple, locally available means. Intense collaboration with craftspeople, especially in the area of timber building, was a particular feature. The term “Baukünstler“ (literally: building artist, an alternative term for architect) first arose in 1984 in the context of a successful confrontation with the chamber of architects. In the region itself it proved possible, using great perseverance, to develop understanding for modern architecture as, after all, it combines many essentially “Vorarlberg“ virtues. A constructive climate for discussions, above all in cooperation with the authorities, and a broad consensus on quality have allowed an amazing density of good contemporary architecture. New requirements and a series of technical innovations have raised the quality and also the demands of the clients and the public. The increasing industrialisation of the building industry and the aesthetic refinement of buildings are only two tendencies of this lively scene that initially showed a selfless modesty, but must now learn to deal with the international limelight. “. . . the most progressive part of the planet, when it comes to new architecture.“ (Wallpaper, 08/2000)
Biomasse-Heizwerk Lech, Hermann Kaufmann