Karikaturmuseum Krems
Krems, Austria
Peichl & Partner

The museum’s design parodies the exhibits themselves

© Martin Wawra

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

This museum was designed to house a permanent collection of the caricatures of Manfred Deix, a special collection of caricatures dealing with famous politicians from Lower Austria by Ironimus (synonym of the architect Gustav Peichl), and space for changing exhibitions. It is one of the largest museums throughout Europe specialized in caricatures and cartoons.

The uniquely shaped "snaggle-toothed" roof of the museum is clever and whimsical. The architecture of the building is rooted in the history of classic modernism on the one hand, and on the other it opens up a a funny but sincere discourse on the unconventional use of architecture.

The building is a two-story structure, placed on top of an underground parking area. Situated at the end of the cone-shaped entrance hall, a spiral stair connects the main floors of the museum. The exhibition space for changing shows, one room of the permanent collection, and the museum shop, are positioned on the entrance floor. The Deix Collection is shown in the central hall of the second floor with the dominating folded roof above. Each folding consists of individually shaped steel beams. Natural light comes through linear skylights on the north side of the dancing sheds. A special type of diffusing glass is used to soften the light to protect the collections. A small library and museum office are on the second floor. The interiors are kept simple and functional, so visitors concentrate on the exhibited works.

Formal name of Project:
Karikaturmuseum Krems (Deix-Haus)

Location:
Krems, Austria

Gross square footage:
7,642 sq ft (exhibition space)
6,673 sq ft (lot size)

Total construction cost:
$3 million

Owner:
State of Lower Austria

Architect:
Peichl & Partner
Opernring 4
1010 Vienna
Austria/ Europe
Phone: 0043/1/512 25 00
Fax: 0043/1/512 25 00 5
Mail: office@peichl-partner.at