As part of the Carinthian Architecture Grant, the challenges of vacancy in small and medium-sized towns were researched over the course of a year, using Feldkirchen in Carinthia as a case study. This research included texts/essays, expert interviews, maps, collections, lexicons, videos, audios and photographs.

The ZU VERMIETERN project concluded with the presentation of a publication and an exhibition of the same name. While the over 300-page publication documented the journey, process and results of the year-long intensive work, the exhibition offered an artistic exploration of the aesthetics and atmospheric reality of vacancy, opening up a new perspective on the research topic. The interplay between analytical investigation and artistic-visual approach highlights the research methodology that Metatektur has developed over the years.

A central feature of the exhibition was a 52 m³ space, enclosed by six construction fences and filled with 1,838 white balloons of various sizes. This was complemented by three large-format photographs, an audio installation, a podium with display copies of the publication, an interactive wall with a monitor and markers, and five large white seating spheres inviting visitors to pause and reflect.

The exhibition was launched during the Austria Architecture Days 2024 and was on display at the Architektur Haus Kärnten from 6 August 2024 to 28 June 2024.

You can find the web entry for the publication (including purchase options) here: ZU VERMIETEN Publikation (mev11)