Haas House, Postmodern retail building in Innere Stadt, Austria.
The Haas House is a postmodern shopping center in Innere Stadt located directly across from St Stephen's Cathedral and marked by a cylindrical glass structure with marble elements. The complex contains fashion retailers, several restaurants, and serves as headquarters for the Do & Co catering company.
The site previously housed the traditional Philipp Haas & Söhne department store from 1867 until its destruction during World War II. After the war, the land was rebuilt in 1953 and later replaced by the current structure designed by architect Hans Hollein.
The building sparked conversations about how contemporary design fits into traditional city landscapes and what role modern architecture should play in European city centers.
The building is easy to locate since it sits directly across from St Stephen's Cathedral and its distinctive glass structure is visible from different angles. Visitors can enjoy the exterior facade at no cost, while access to the interior depends on individual shops and restaurants.
Individual glass panels on the facade tilt slightly outward to allow ventilation while also reflecting the medieval buildings of the old city. This creates a visual dialogue between modern construction and the historic surroundings.
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