“In principle no material is in and of itself ugly or inferior – every material, if applied competently in the right place, can be beautiful.” (Norbert Heltschl)

Norbert Heltschl is considered one of the pioneers of rough-cast exposed concrete in Tyrol. Along with the Tivoli Outdoor Pool in Innsbruck with its iconic diving platform, the Mariannhill Boarding School in Landeck is also among the main works in his comprehensive oeuvre. Together with the adjacent St. Josef Church, also built by Heltschl (1958–1963), it represents a prime example of Brutalist architecture. One is immediately struck by the notably clear and memorable structure and the play of light and shadow arising in part from the aesthetics of the concrete. As additional free space, Heltschl offers the students contemplative rooftop pools; their turquoise water combines with the grey of the exposed concrete to produce a bold and refreshing mix.

In 1982 the Mariannhill Order was disbanded and the building sold to the state of Tyrol. With its conversion into a vocational school in 1986 the exposed concrete building was wiped out in part or altered beyond recognition (last updated on April 27, 2018).

Written by Sonja Pisarik, Architekturzentrum Wien