5th Austrian Doctoral Symposium in Architecture

Pursuing a doctorate in architecture is still far from common—even though it has been possible in Austria for 125 years. Over this period, the aims, methods, and expectations have changed considerably; they also require continual renegotiation and critical reflection. Exchange among doctoral candidates and supervisors across institutes and universities is therefore all the more crucial. One of the most effective platforms for this exchange is the Austrian Doctoral Symposium in Architecture, which celebrated its fifth edition on May 15 and 16, 2025, and was hosted for the first time at Graz University of Technology. Originally initiated by the three architecture faculties in Vienna, the format has since been expanded to include all six universities in Austria that offer architectural education. The symposium is jointly organized by these institutions and is generally held every two years (the 2027 edition will take place at TU Wien).

16 doctoral candidates from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Graz University of Technology, TU Wien, the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and the University of Innsbruck were selected by a jury to present their work‑in‑progress in four thematic sections, each accompanied by a respondent with international expertise: “Design/Media/Technology” (Tobias Wallisser, State Academy of Art and Design Stuttgart), “City/Urbanism/Landscape” (Gabu Heindl, University of Kassel), “Theory and History of Architecture” (Albert Kirchengast, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg), and “Perception and Experience of Space” (Susanne Stacher, ÉNSA Versailles). 19 additional students took part in three poster sessions moderated by Sabina Riss, Angelika Schnell, and Anselm Wagner, facing critical questions from an engaged audience. The evening keynote was delivered by Kathrin Dörfler, Professor of Digital Fabrication at TU Munich and an alumna of Graz University of Technology. The faculty band Silkyway brought the symposium to a lively close.

Anselm Wagner