Architect Dipl. Ing. Christian Heiss was, in his early years, intensely devoted to violin music. Later his involvement with violin greatly influenced his approach to architecture. The mystique of recognizing the sound of the instrument on the basis of its form and beauty and then hearing it within is tantamount to the architect’s art of sensing physical space and its qualities.
Christian Heiss
His family background – his father too was an architect and urban planner – placed a further founding stone for the shaping values and understanding of a city, as Christian Heiss now experiences it on a daily basis. His later involvement with the fascination space came about by drawing – for Heiss an indispensable schooling in perception for any planner. The sketch in the drafting stage is the language of an idea, and its essential expression.
His career as an independent architect began in 1997, at home at the kitchen table. Shortly thereafter the studio in Schleifmühlgasse was founded, and Atelier Heiss has continually grown since. Over time, areas of focus have developed. Today, a staff of 25 and three partners work under his leadership on numerous projects in the areas of living, office, and hotels, ranging from headquarters to 4 and 5 Star hotels, and from simple housing to luxury villas.
Photo: Gerhard Kassner
born in Vienna
Violin studies with Prof. Laszlo Barki and Prof. Grete Biedermann
Violin-making studies with study visits to Cremona (I), Mirecourt (F), York (GB)
Publication of numerous sketches on Vienna, Italy and Spain
Work for architects Herbert Bohrn and Prof. Hans Puchhammer
Diploma from the Technical University Vienna under Architekt Prof. Ernst Hiesmayr
Lectureships at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Foundation of the studio in 1040 Vienna, Schleifmühlgasse
Lectures, panel discussions, service as juror
Austrian National Award for Architecture
Photo: Gerhard Kassner
