Building culture as a reflection of society

The Vorarlberger Architekturinstitut (vai) has been an important interface in the field of building culture for 25 years now. Art historian Verena Konrad has been the director and managing director of the vai for ten years.

“Especially in times like these, Vorarlberg has a good starting position for the material turnaround that is now pending,” said the native of Upper Austria on Monday in an interview with moderator Joachim Mangard on the Vorarlberg LIVE show, citing, among other things, frugality, building on what already exists and moderation Qualities of the Vorarlbergers.

However, as is well known, the situation in the construction industry is currently tense. “I think the sense of entitlement has become very big,” said Konrad with regard to rising construction costs, inflation and the difficult situation for the industry. Architecture does not mean that a single-family house with 200 square meters has to be built. Architecture means quality and this has to do with life demands and biographies that are changing. “As people we are mobile, real estate is not.” If the vai director has her way, more flexibility, community and frugality are required and at the same time a bit more social justice. “Building culture is actually a mirror of society.”

As far as the issues of urbanization and scarcity of land are concerned, Konrad sees a combination of architecture, spatial planning and political responsibility and new agreements as needed. “It’s about ecological balance, a new form of responsible agriculture and security of supply.”

It is also important to make knowledge about building culture accessible to everyone. “We are therefore also trying to make offers for laypeople who are interested in the subject. And there are a lot of them.”

The broadcast “Vorarlberg LIVE” is a cooperation between VOL.AT, VN.at, Ländle TV and VOL.AT TV and is broadcast from Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. There’s more here.