THE PROJECT

After just two years of construction, since October 3rd, 2005, THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is conspicuously located on Breiter Weg as Hundertwasser’s creation of an "oasis for humanity and nature in a sea of rational houses".

Born on December 15th, 1928, it was in the 1950s when the Viennese artist began to dedicate his work to architecture besides painting. Hundertwasser meant that human being’s welfare depended on the style of architecture their houses were built in.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser supposed that architecture would be the people’s third skin and that everybody must be enabled to design this skin as he likes, just as he may design his first (his natural skin) and his second skin (his clothes).

With his architectural style and concepts of Window Right and Tree Duty he endeavoured individual living space for mankind to exist in harmony with nature. He considered it architecture’s great aim to lead humans back into the paradise that seemed lost.

The idea of a Hundertwasser architectural project in Magdeburg can be attributed to the Stadt Magdeburg von 1954 e.G. housing association, which planned the reshaping of a concrete slabs prefabricated building that was located on the site where THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is presently found. The planned reshaping was converted into a concept for a new construction whose realisation was taken over by the Gero-AG in 2002. When the first sod was cut in 2003, Hundertwasser’s dream came through—three years after his death.

Hundertwasser worked on the plans for THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG until shortly before he died on February 19th, 2000. As with all of his plans, the architecture model and uncountable detailed drawings were complete, it was possible to realise the project even after the artist’s death. Therefore, THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is the last completely designed and realised building by the Austrian artist.

All of Hundertwasser’s architectural desires come together in THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG. In his "…most beautiful and greatest building…" golden globes shine afar from the towers, "tree tenants" look out of "dancing windows", the bouquet of wildflower meadows rises from the roofs, and wavelike floors—seeming "melodies for the feet"—weave its visitors through the courtyards. Anyone who is searching or interested could find its fitting third skin in one of the 55 unique flats inside the building.

As a residential and office building THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG not only offers individual space for living or experiences, but also varied shops, event rooms, a hotel, offices, a kindergarten, and medical facilities that are perfectly integrated with the project.

Hundertwasser’s example of architecture is a manifest paradise for everyone—inviting you not only to live, work or shop there, but also to meet, celebrate and stay the night.

Further information about the artist and his project is available on our guided tours.

THE PROJECT

After just two years of construction, since October 3rd, 2005, THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is conspicuously located on Breiter Weg as Hundertwasser’s creation of an "oasis for humanity and nature in a sea of rational houses".

Born on December 15th, 1928, it was in the 1950s when the Viennese artist began to dedicate his work to architecture besides painting. Hundertwasser meant that human being’s welfare depended on the style of architecture their houses were built in.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser supposed that architecture would be the people’s third skin and that everybody must be enabled to design this skin as he likes, just as he may design his first (his natural skin) and his second skin (his clothes).

With his architectural style and concepts of Window Right and Tree Duty he endeavoured individual living space for mankind to exist in harmony with nature. He considered it architecture’s great aim to lead humans back into the paradise that seemed lost.

The idea of a Hundertwasser architectural project in Magdeburg can be attributed to the Stadt Magdeburg von 1954 e.G. housing association, which planned the reshaping of a concrete slabs prefabricated building that was located on the site where THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is presently found. The planned reshaping was converted into a concept for a new construction whose realisation was taken over by the Gero-AG in 2002. When the first sod was cut in 2003, Hundertwasser’s dream came through—three years after his death.

Hundertwasser worked on the plans for THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG until shortly before he died on February 19th, 2000. As with all of his plans, the architecture model and uncountable detailed drawings were complete, it was possible to realise the project even after the artist’s death. Therefore, THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG is the last completely designed and realised building by the Austrian artist.

All of Hundertwasser’s architectural desires come together in THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG. In his "…most beautiful and greatest building…" golden globes shine afar from the towers, "tree tenants" look out of "dancing windows", the bouquet of wildflower meadows rises from the roofs, and wavelike floors—seeming "melodies for the feet"—weave its visitors through the courtyards. Anyone who is searching or interested could find its fitting third skin in one of the 55 unique flats inside the building.

As a residential and office building THE GREEN CITADEL® OF MAGDEBURG not only offers individual space for living or experiences, but also varied shops, event rooms, a hotel, offices, a kindergarten, and medical facilities that are perfectly integrated with the project.

Hundertwasser’s example of architecture is a manifest paradise for everyone—inviting you not only to live, work or shop there, but also to meet, celebrate and stay the night.

Further information about the artist and his project is available on our guided tours.