The museum quarter in Vienna will open a new cultural space Libelle

photo: Hertha Hurnaus

Visitors to the Vienna MuseumsQuartier will have the opportunity to enjoy a new cultural space on the roof of the Leopold Museum starting September 1. “Libelle,” or dragonfly, is a freely accessible terrace and the first architectural expansion of MQ Wien since its opening in 2001. In addition to a unique view of the city, the new terrace will offer space for relaxation as well as cultural activities.

“I am pleased that we can offer our visitors not only a beautiful view of the Vienna city center but also allow them access to a new, freely accessible cultural and living space, Libelle. Libelle is the first major expansion of the MQ Wien area since its opening. Therefore, I warmly invite everyone to experience the unique perspective that is offered from the museum terrace,” comments the new project of the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna by its director, Christian Strasser.

The new terrace on the roof of the Leopold Museum is named after its shape, which resembles the body of a dragonfly. The author of the architectural gem in the heart of Vienna is Laurids Ortner (Ortner & Ortner Baukunst), who closely collaborated on the realization with two of Austria's leading contemporary artists, Brigitte Kowanz and Eva Schlegel. While Kowanz is responsible for the design of the iconic lighting of the terrace, Schlegel designed the new glass wall of the Libelle project. Architect Laurids Ortner, together with his brother Manfred Ortner, is also the author of, for example, the Leopold Museum, mumok, and Kunsthalle Wien. The Ortner brothers designed the new buildings located in the MuseumsQuartier in the 1980s and 1990s and logically continued the expansion of the space they designed with the Libelle terrace.

The construction costs of the new terrace are estimated at 7.5 million euros. Half of the costs were covered directly by the MuseumsQuartier from its own funds. The other half will reportedly be covered by future rental income from the space.

The MuseumsQuartier in Vienna is not only one of the most popular cultural hotspots for Viennese residents but also one of the largest and most successful cultural complexes in the world.

visualization: Ortner & Ortner Baukunst