Students on the Architectural Heritage Conservation degree program at Hochschule RheinMain (HSRM) travelled to Vienna in June 2025 to research buildings from the three main periods of European architecture - the Middle Ages, Baroque and Gründerzeit - on site. The focus was on current topics such as monument preservation, construction in existing buildings and sustainable urban development.

Experience architectural history in the urban space

At locations such as the Wien Museum, the Stadtpark and the Innere Stadt, the students analyzed urban developments and the challenges of monument preservation.

Architect Dr. Gerhard Schnabl gave a guided tour of the renovated parliament building. A visit to the construction site in Lustkandlgasse and discussions with experts on site provided further practical insights.

Visits to the Liechtenstein Garden Palace and a walk through "Red Vienna" showed how diverse and lively building culture can be experienced in Vienna today.

Combining theory and practical experience

The excursion took place as part of the courses "Conservation and Development" and "Project D - Evaluation and Development in a Historical Context". The goal is to provide students with a sound understanding of the assessment, further development and subsequent use of listed buildings. The combination of theoretical knowledge with concrete objects in Vienna strengthened awareness of sustainable and responsible heritage conservation.