Suburbia

Why does the single-family home remain so popular despite the climate crisis, land consumption, and rising construction costs? And what will happen in the future to the 1.5 million homes built in Austria? The exhibition curated by the Az W is going on tour and will stop in Oberwart and Wattens this spring.

It is an image that seems frozen in time and space: a large house with a garden, a swimming pool, and two cars in the garage. A quiet, safe place for the immediate family, close to nature and situated in peaceful surroundings.

To this day, the majority of the population still aspires to realize this dream, with far-reaching social and environmental consequences such as land consumption, soil sealing, and vacancy rates.

Using historical materials, the exhibition traces the history of a way of life that conquered the world and successfully established itself here as well. Graphics and statistics illustrate the impact of the single-family home on people, animals, and the plant world. However, the exhibition’s focus is on the potential of the existing housing stock. Thirteen current projects demonstrate how existing homes can be transformed into a sustainable future through renovation, transformation, and repurposing.

Opening: March 12, 2026