182 CultureShock! Austria
using natural products such as tile, wood and ceramics, he
invented a radically new way of living—floors full of soft
bumps, for example, because in nature, the ground is not flat.
The Hundertwasserhaus on Kegelgasse in the 3rd district is
definitely worth a look. At first glance, you may not realise
that this unconventional, colourful and creative building is a
public housing block. It was completed in 1985 and people
currently live there so entry is prohibited, but you can visit the
small shopping mall across the street, which he also designed.
If you’d like to see more of his work, visit the KunstHausWien,
just a few blocks away on Weissgerberstrasse. This museum
houses the permanent collection of Hundertwasser’s
paintings and also hosts temporary exhibits. The garden café
is a fun place to relax. He also designed the Fernwärme power
plant, a church in Styria, a rest stop along the A2 Autobahn
and a fantasy-like spa, among other works.