New management of the HDA

Deutsch

The HDA - Haus der Architektur in Graz is pleased to announce a new management team as of October 2024. We are following the organisation's tradition of constantly questioning the association and being open to new ideas.

After long and intensive discussions about content and structure, we have taken a clear position and unanimously decided to take a new path.

Like architecture itself, the themes and content of architectural education and discourse are shaped by many people and interest groups. We are convinced that by proactively opening up the HDA we can create a further level of networking for the architectural discourse in Graz, Styria, Austria and Europe.

SHARED LEADERSHIP/TEAM - new management
Zerina Džubur takes over the management of the programme, Karin Oberhuber is responsible for the operational management. The HDA team will play an even more important role in the future.

Zerina Džubur is a trained architect and a young advocate of building culture and its communication. Karin Oberhuber brings with her many years of expertise in budgetary, operational and association-related matters.
Both have excellent international and regional networks from their work - especially with the young, committed architectural scene that is so important for the future of the HDA - and are familiar with the latest topics in architecture, urban development and building culture.
Both new and established programmes will be implemented together with the existing team.

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WHAT DO WE WANT TO IMPLEMENT?

OPEN CALL
We see the OPEN CALL as an important instrument of openness - an invitation to submit ideas and projects to be developed and implemented together with the HDA.
In addition to the Open Call, the HDA's established fixed dates and proven programmes will be continuously developed and continued.

ADVISORY BOARD
A newly organised and strengthened Programme Advisory Board will be appointed to review the submissions for the Open Call. As an advisory body, it will support the programme management.

**Communication and Visibility of Baukultur*

The HDA has a special responsibility in the communication and discourse on architecture and building culture. It is therefore essential to make the wide range of activities on the level of building culture more visible to the general public.

The HDA will continue to organise the Styrian Architecture Prize and the Architecture Days every two years. The communication of Styrian building culture in a supra-regional context will play a central role.
The successful cooperation with the European architecture platform LINA will be continued and offers the opportunity to develop and realise new ideas with architects from all over Europe.
In addition to the existing international collaborations, the founding members, who brought the association into being almost 40 years ago, will be more actively involved. The lively Styrian architectural scene is also expressly invited to play an active part in the opening up of the programme.
In addition, renowned international lecturers on current topics and exhibitions will be invited to the building and relevant discussions will be held as part of an extensive supporting programme.

**Openness and networking as key objectives**
The new management is committed to opening up the museum, stimulating a lively discourse and connecting the region with the world. Contemporary issues will be discussed at different levels and in a variety of formats to facilitate a broad dialogue.

**Intensive programme development*
The annual programme will be decided and refined through regular meetings and an annual retreat with the newly organised and appointed Programme Advisory Board. It is particularly important to the two new directors to bring the various stakeholders on board and to use the wisdom of many to develop a comprehensive and stimulating programme.

We look forward to an active and open period at the House of Architecture!

The Board
Gernot Ritter (independent member), Chairman
Andreas Tropper (Province of Styria)
Bertram Werle (City of Graz)
Burkhard Schelischansky (Chamber of Civil Engineers)
Matthias Castorph (TU Graz)
Heidrun Primas (Forum Stadtpark), Vice-Chairperson
Birgit Schiretz (Styrian Regional Association of the Central Association of Austrian Architects)