Najjar & Najjar Architekten, Wien

The exhibition shows works of the Libanese brothers Karim and Rames Najjar and their architecture office, founded in Vienna in 1998. In their works they observe the connection and reciprocal relationship between mankind, built space and environment. Movement as a component of architecture can be relayed. Natural influences, such as wind, water or even the inhabitant himself become intgral parts of the movement. Research and attention to details are very important to the Architects. Their materials and construction methods derive from the technology of automotive and maritime structures. In order to render the theoretical discourse more concrete, the Najjars build prototypes and 1:1 models, which they test in „reality.“ The project „Gezeiten-Haus“, a building in the Wattenmeer, depicts life inside a house propelled by nature, mainly the moon. To render the surroundings functional and stylish, the building changes with the rhythm of ebb and flow. The „Flarke,“ a flying space, is installed on a cliff. With the coming wind, the tails spread and the room is raised into the air. Simultaneously, the Mundase, a hollow space, is retracted into the cliff. The person inside the space can change position and structure through the shift in equilibrium. The „Bug,“ an isolated rectangular box, communicates with the outside world by the Raumhülle (space covering), as changes in form mirror inside events. Winning the competition for the Semperit F&E building proves Najjar & Najjar‘s capabilities of combining elements of a technically new building with a spherical and curving facade. The National Park Center Thayatal, in cooperation with Cornelia Najjar K.v. Dellmensingen (stage design) and Aline Ehrenfried (content management), presents events in a room dramatically. The movement of the visitor is connected with the form of the space. The ideal for the design is the landscape of the valley of the Thaya and specifically the contrast between the partially hilly landscape and the canyons of the Thaya.

Welcome at the opening: Kristin Feireiss, Berlin
Dr. Mohamed Issa, Ambassador of the Republic of Lebanon