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Between 1989 and 1990, Dieter Bogner created the concept for the MuseumsQuartier Wien, one of the ten largest cultural complexes in the world. During his time as managing director of the Museumsquartier Errichtungs- und Betriebsgesellschaft Vienna–from 1990 to 1994–he planned the content-related utilization of the MQ. Main parts of the concept were implemented by the time the complex opened in 2001.
The MuseumsQuartier is located in the revitalized ensemble of baroque and 19th century court stables in the center of Vienna. As the largest cultural building in the history of the Republic of Austria, the MuseumsQuartier, with its numerous portals and passageways, the redesigned forecourt and the recreational zones inside, opens up an urban connecting axis that links the individual cultural spaces of the city even better.
The generally defining motif for the MuseumsQuartier - both externally and internally - is the mutual interpenetration of historical and contemporary architecture. With the planning of the new MuseumsQuartier, Ortner & Ortner realized an architectural interweaving of urban fields and enabled links between old and new, art and local recreation, artists and the public on all levels. Architect Manfred Wehdorn was responsible for the renovation of the listed building substance.
In the entire MuseumsQuartier complex, there are three building complexes that most conspicuously characterize the site. The new KUNSTHALLE Wien in conjunction with Halle E + G occupy a central position. Spatially, they form the architectural link between the two other new buildings: the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art - Ludwig Foundation Vienna. Further institutions such as the Architekturzentrum Wien, Kindermuseum, Depot, Basis Wien, studios and many other cultural users are housed in the conversions and extensions of the historic tracts.
