As an open platform of the Styrian People’s Party in the 1970s and 1980s, the Modell Steiermark (Styrian Model) discussed future issues in all areas of society – open-ended, controversial and extending beyond the horizon of a legislative period. The relations between society, economy and politics were rethought in 21 working groups. A separate working group was devoted to housing, which to this day remains synonymous with the Styrian Model. Young architects who were eager to experiment, courageous political decision-makers and open-minded civil servants facilitated the theoretical discussion of new housing projects that are still exemplary even today, and whose realisation was supported by the Land Steiermark. In this heyday of ‘Graz School’ architecture, real-time housing experiments of international renown were created using new methods of co-de-termination with the future residents.
Modell Steiermark, from 1972/1980
The Styrian People’s Party
Styrian Model in Discussion, politicum 3, 1981
Verein für Politik und Zeitgeschichte in der Steiermark
Experiment Wohnbau. Die partizipative Architektur des Modell Steiermark (Housing Experiment. The participatory architecture of the Styrian Model), 2019
Andrea Jany
With thanks to Andrea Jany and Johann Trummer.
