LAUT was commissioned to design and build a scale model of an ideal superblock for the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology (Technisches Museum Wien). The model is part of the museum's permanent collection and will be on display within the ongoing exhibition “Energy Transition - A Race Against Time” (“Energiewende - Wettlauf mit der Zeit”) until 2025.
The 1:750 scale maquette showcases a best-case but entirely feasible scenario for transforming Vienna’s existing urban fabric. The built environment presented is a blend of existing patterns found in various parts of Vienna where LAUT has previously explored the application of the superblocks concept. Common street sections, block sizes, and building structures are used to demonstrate the general applicability of superblocks and their street-level transformations.
Drawing on an existing catalogue of symbols from real-life (1:1 scale) participation workshops, LAUT uses this maquette to convey the scope of realistic transformational possibilities in a haptic way. The aim is to support the diverse audience of the museum in visualising the creation of sustainable and liveable urban futures through the redesign of present-day streets and neighbourhoods.
The maquette was constructed by applying classical model-making techniques to limewood as well as utilising 3D printing to make intricate moulds for plaster-casted gypsum models. The street level was fabricated by layering multiple laser-cut fine art prints. The trees are custom made to fit the size and aesthetic of the maquette.
Location: Vienna
Client: Vienna Museum of Science and Technology
Year: 2023
Project type: speculative project, exhibition contribution
Scale: district
Status: model, concept
Team: Georg Wieser, Florian Lorenz
Partner: scales OG
