culTUre needs space. And that's where TU Wien has two vital assets:

  • Kuppelsaal (auditorium)
  • Treitlhörsaal (lecture theatre)

Details of other event venues can be found here. 

Kuppelsaal (auditorium)

Originally, the Kuppelsaal was divided in two by a 2.5 m high unlit corridor. On one side were several small offices and on the other were the art rooms for architecture students. The 1950s fixtures were subsequently removed to reveal a wonderful space with a vaulted ceiling, which is now used as an art room, exhibition space, auditorium for 240 people and event venue, among others.

Dating back almost 200 years, the wooden structure of the room – known as the ‘De L’Ormschen Sichtbogenbinder’ – has exposed, curved trusses and a mansard roof. This was retained in the renovation work and lends the interior its unmistakable appearance. The space provides the university with a function room measuring 25 m x 22 m, which reaches over 10 m high at its apex.

dome hall
dome hall with audience

Treitlhörsaal at Treitlstraße 3

Construction

In 1930, Fritz Judtmann and Egon Riss constructed the very first reinforced concrete frame buildings in Vienna; they were the Porr-Haus (Vienna 4, Operngasse 11 / Resselgasse 6) and the offices of the trade union and health insurance fund for the hospitality industry (Vienna 4, Treitlstraße 3).

Offenbach-Saal

In 1932 Karl Kraus regularly gave his Offenbach performances in the ceremonial hall of the building at Treitlstraße 3. From then on the hall was known as the ‘Offenbach-Saal’, potentially at Kraus’ suggestion.

Film showings

The ‘Gesellschaft der Filmfreunde Österreichs’ (association of Austrian film enthusiasts) used the Offenbach-Saal as a cinema, holding its first event in February 1937, with two sell-out showings of the Czech comedy ‘Hej Rup’.

Post-war era

After the second world war, the Russian army used the building as an information centre.

Wiener Gruppe

On 15 April 1959, the Wiener Gruppe (Vienna Group) organised its second literary cabaret event, during which Friedrich Achleitner and Konrad Bayer destroyed a piano, resulting in the police being called.

Viennese Actionism

On 9 November 1967, Otto Mühl (together with Günter Brus) organised Aktion #43, the ‘Direct Art Festival’, in the building. This included performances of short cabaret-style ‘Actions’ sketches.

Pop culture

On 2 October 1977, the British punk rock band ‘The Clash’ (‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’) – incidentally the favourite band of Vienna’s former mayor Michael Häupl – were invited to perform in the hall.

TU Wien

In 1986 the then Wissenschaftsministerium (Ministry of Science) rented the building at Treitlstraße 3 to TU Wien. Major renovations were carried out at a cost of 18 million schillings to adapt it to the university’s needs. The state-of-the-art lecture theatre is also used to host various cultural events.

View Treitlstrasse
Treitlstrasse post-war
Concert Treitlstrasse
Auditorium Treitlstrasse