Starchitect – Wolf D. Prix
Coop Himmelb(l)au

Wolf D. Prix was born in 1942 in Vienna. He studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology, the Architectural Association of London, as well as the Southern California Institute of Architecture. He is the co-founder of Coop Himmelb(l)au (meaning blue-sky cooperative in German). Coop Himmelb(l)au has been the recipient of many awards. Prix is one of the originators of the deconstructionist architecture movement.

Deconstructivism is characterized by the juxtaposition of forms and volumes. At times disharmonious, lacking continuity, and typically asymmetrical.

I must say I love his work! From one project to the next, the study of shapes and balance is so bold, so original. In some buildings I see a similary to Frank Gehry’s work another architect whose style is deconstructionism. Gehry may be a more recognized name but his style seems to be one-note. As I say that, I realize my post on him is more than 3 years old; perhaps it will be time to revisit his work.


Rooftop Remodeling Falkerstrasse
1988, Vienna, Austria




Groninger Museum
1994, Groningen, Netherlands




UFA Cinema Centre
1998, Dresden, Germany




Gasometer
2001, Vienna, Austria




Arteplace in Biel, Bienne Swiss Expo 02
2002, Biel, Germany




Academy of Fine Arts
2005, Munich, Germany




Akron Art Museum Addition
2007, Akron, Ohio




BMW Welt
2007, Munich, Germany




High School for the Visual and Permorming Arts
2008, Los Angeles, California




Martin Luther Church
2011, Hainburg, Austria




Dalian International Conference Centre
2012, Dalian, China




Musee des confluence
2014, Lyon, France




Musikkens Hus
2014, Aalborg, Denmar




The New European Central Bank in Frankfurt
2014, Frankfurt, Germany




Hotel 55th Street 8th Avenue
2023, New York, New York