Altenburg Abbey
Jabornegg & Pálffy. Altenburg, Austria
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Name of work in English
Altenburg Abbey
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Name of work in original language
Stift Altenburg
Prize year
EUmies Awards 2011
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Work Location
Altenburg, Austria
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Studio
Jabornegg & Pálffy
EUmies Awards 2011 Shortlisted
Collaborators
Program
Culture
Completion
2009
In the baroque design by Joseph Munggenast the abbey's main view was balanced by extensive open spaces. All laid out on the same level, the terrace offered a pleasant vista of the countryside and a good vantage point from which to observe the abbey's impressive facades. An embankment raised above part of the abbey threatened the terrace's supporting walls and when it was hollowed out to relieve the pressure, various layers of medieval remains were uncovered. These medieval areas are now used as museum spaces, forming a coherent extension of the exhibition areas already established in the main complex. To shelter the remains a terrace was once again installed at the same level as the adjoining baroqueera courtyards. Each phase in the abbey's architectural history stands out clearly in the individual sections of the building and at the same time the abbey's architectural history as a whole can be appreciated.