PRA - Prachner Bookstore

One of the many competitions that querkraft participated in was for the realization of the Prachner bookstore in the premises of Museumsquartier. In the revitalized ensemble of buildings of the former imperial stables dating from the Baroque period and the 19th century, situated right in the center of Vienna, the architects implanted the bookstore in the northern oval hall. In addition to the requested auxiliary operational rooms, it was also necessary to create a space for holding small cultural events, such as literary evenings, presentations, and so on. A collection of books - a band, comparable to the boundaries of a hockey rink, winds around both sides of the oval Baroque hall. In the center lies the so-called reader's arena. Books of various heights and a back made of perforated sheet metal ensure transparency, hinting at the surrounding oval. The center of the room remains free, preserving the magnificent spatial experience from four massive columns that stretch across nine fields of a dome canopy. Simple sliding cubes made of oak wood at table height - so-called confetti - are designed for showcasing current offerings and allow for flexible use during social events. Selected materials, in combination with the floor and yellow-galvanized sheet metal, create a pleasant atmosphere.