Helena Weber, Vorarlberg architect
Trying to maintain a balance
“The culture of building,” she says, “is also a little bit of how we see ourselves in Vorarlberg.”
Helena Weber studied music, focusing on concert violin studies, before turning to architecture. “There are many parallels,” she says. “For instance, the weighting and taking account of basic qualities, which works the same way across all levels of art.” The young award-winning architect who has been running her own firm in Dornbirn since 2008 and who sits on the board of the Vorarlberger Architektur Institut (vai) also thinks social aspects are important: what are the priorities for public authorities, what is the approach to residential building, do alternative concepts exist, are young and old people being brought together? “Particularly because both culture and society are always changing, we must try to maintain a balance within these processes,” says Helena Weber, who as far as possible also incorporates the setting and nature into her designs.
In this regard, there is a solidarity among architects that is aimed at defining architectural quality and implementing it.
Her special tip for the culture of building in Vorarlberg:
Helena Weber recommends exploring old structures that have developed from necessity and that consequently tell stories. For instance, the little village of Schwarzenberg that is not far from Dornbirn and the “Bödele” skiing region with its baroque parish church, two beautiful fountains and sedate listed inns at its centre. “That’s where you’ll find an atmosphere that invigorates and inspires.”
