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Boris Podrecca


Biography

Boris Podrecca (1940) was born in Belgrade and studied architecture and figurative art in Vienna, where he opened his practice in 1980.
His teaching career continued throughout the eighties, lecturing at several universities (Lausanne, Paris, Philadelphia, London, Cambridge and Stuttgart).

From the early to mid-nineties he headed the International Architecture Seminar in Vienna.
Podrecca also worked on numerous themed exhibitions, which clearly reveal his analysis of artistic transfiguration. These included an exhibition in Venice on the work of Carlo Scarpa (1984), a traveling exhibition on Joze Plecnik Architecte (1986) and, in particular, 1000 Jahre Österreich - Die Donau (Millennium Exhibition - One Hundred Years of Austria) (1996).

His body of work is noted for numerous construction projects mainly in Vienna, the center of Central European culture, where diverse historic, ethnic and social factors have overlapped over the centuries.
In comparing these different styles and cultures, Podrecca’s work reveals a synthesis of design that takes into account the theories and writings of architects and urban planners such as Semper, Plecnik and Fabiani.
“A meticulous observer of the relationship between architecture and historical context and also between architecture and its tactile and material value, Podrecca has often worked on the transformation of urban spaces (...) and on the tactile and perceived aspect of its buildings, with particular awareness of coverings and color in respect of finishes" (Treccani).

Going beyond historicism of the reference models, Podrecca’s work highlights form, perfection of technical details, layout and its direct relationship with the environment.
In all his projects, architectural work interacts with the existing structures to arrive at the perfect solution for the context and environment.
In the 1998 book by Electa dedicated to Podrecca, the author Walter Zschokke concludes "What distinguishes his work is his ability to adapt to diverse situations. Whether that is setting up an exhibition, transforming a commercial space, designing the layout of a historic town center square, or a detached family home."

Throughout Podrecca’s career, his versatility across diverse styles translates into a wide variety of formal choices, so much so that he declared “I hate stylistic racism and do not believe architecture can be voiced through a single concept.”
These aspects are particularly evident in his designs for public spaces and town squares, where Podrecca has re-established the city path.

Obvious examples of this are Piazza Tartini in Pirano (1989) and Piazza XXIV Maggio in Cormons (1990), and reorganization and renewal of paving in Universitätsplatz, Salzburg (1992).
Notable projects also include those in St. Pölten, Löben, Klagenfurt, Stuttgart, Split, Motta di Livenza, Teodorico archaeological site, Ravenna and via Mazzini in Verona.
In the book Offene Räume / Public Spaces Boris Podrecca, edited by Matthias Boeckl (Springer-Verlag, Vienna-New York, 2004) which focuses on the design of public spaces, the architect was asked "if there is something specifically European in the concept for the design of town squares".

Podrecca replied "It is difficult to reduce it to a single image. I love Latin culture with its sun and shade or Slavic-Byzantine with alabaster, onyx and translucency, yet also the discipline of the German thought process (...) I cannot be reduced to elegant minimalism nor even protestant purism” (source and translation Domus).

Numerous projects carried out by the practice, mostly in central Europe, include several commercial centers, such as the Kika in Klagenfurt (1989), sales centers and showrooms for Mazda, Kapellenweg complex in Vienna-Donaustadt (1993), offices for Basler Versicherung in Vienna-Brigittenau (1993), school, Dirmhirngasse, Vienna (1991-1994), with a transparent walkway that links the new and older building, Basilese Insurance business center in Vienna, the landmark Millennium Tower in Vienna (1999) and shopping center in Leoben (2001).
 
Boris Podrecca selected works and projects
 
- Austria Campus (con A. Kipar, progetto), Vienna (Austria), 2018
- Areale ferroviario (progetto), Bolzano (Italia)
- Dommuseum, Vienna (Austria), 2017
- Complesso parrocchiale Pentecoste (con M. Castelletti), Milano (Italia), 2016
- Competence Park, Salisburgo (Austria), 2016
- Centro commerciale Stadt Centrum, Merano, (Italia), 2016
- Palais Hansen, Hotel Kempinski, Vienna (Austria), 2013
- Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Maribor (Slovenia), 2013
- Museo Nazionale della Porcellana - Adrien Dubouché, Limoges (Francia), 2012
- Punta Skala Resort, Hotel Iadera, Zara (Croazia), 2011
- Padiglione sloveno per Expo 2010, Shangai (Cina), 2010
- Vienna Bio Center, Vienna (Austria), 2008
- Neuer Platz, Klagenfurt (Austria), 2008
- Villa Petritsch, Mlini (Croazia), 2007
- Pariser Platz, Stoccarda (Germania), 2005
- Mestni Trg, Idria (Slovenia), 2005
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Trieste (Italia), 2004
- Villa Himmer, Maria Enzersdorf (Austria), 2002
- Restauro Museo d’Arte Moderna, Ca’ Pesaro, Venezia (Italia), 2002
- Parco di Teodorico, Ravenna (Italia) 2000
- Millennium Tower, Vienna (Austria), 1999
- Allestimento della Mostra Mastering the City - 100 years of urban planning in Europe, Nai, Rotterdam (Olanda), 1997
- Piazza del Municipio, Sankt Pölten (Austria), 1996
- Allestimento della Mostra 1000 Jahre Österreich - Die Donau - Eine Reise Schottenstift, Vienna (Austria), 1996
- Castello Stakorovec, (Croazia), 1998
- Biblioteca municipale, Biberbach (Germania), 1995
- Scuola, Dirmhirngasse, Vienna (Austria), 1994
- Complesso residenziale Kapellenweg, Vienna-Donaustadt (Austria), 1993
- Centro Storico e Piazza XXIV Maggio, Cormons (Italia), 1990
- Piazza Tartini, Pirano (Slovenia), 1989
- Grandi Magazzini Kika, Klagenfurt (Austria), 1989
 
Official website:
 
www.podrecca.at

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