Photo © Roxane Fürholzer
Photo © Roxane Fürholzer
Rising 27 floors and housing over 10,000 residents, the world-renowned Wohnpark Alterlaa in Vienna is a striking monument and often described as 'social utopia.' This vast housing project, designed by Austrian architect Harry Glück and constructed between 1975 and 1986, is located in the city’s 23rd district and spans over 240,000 square meters.
Designed and constructed for low-income families, Alterlaa delivers a surprisingly luxurious standard of living. Residents enjoy a variety of comforts, including saunas, gyms, rooftop and indoor pools, and facilities for sports and cultural activities. In addition to these on-site amenities, the complex offers essential services like medical clinics, a church, and a commercial center featuring supermarkets, restaurants, and shops—many of which are accessible without leaving the interior of the housing complex at all. In fact, Alterlaa serves as a prime example of a self-contained city within a city.
Designed and constructed for low-income families, Alterlaa delivers a surprisingly luxurious standard of living. Residents enjoy a variety of comforts, including saunas, gyms, rooftop and indoor pools, and facilities for sports and cultural activities. In addition to these on-site amenities, the complex offers essential services like medical clinics, a church, and a commercial center featuring supermarkets, restaurants, and shops—many of which are accessible without leaving the interior of the housing complex at all. In fact, Alterlaa serves as a prime example of a self-contained city within a city.