Three women, one vision

For almost two decades, illiz architektur has been developing projects between Vienna and Zurich, characterised by a conceptual approach, interdisciplinary collaboration and a natural openness to new challenges. In this interview, the three partners discuss transformation as an opportunity, the responsible handling of existing buildings, and why architecture today must shape change more than ever before.

There are three women at the helm of illiz architektur – was that by chance or entirely intentional?

You could call it both a coincidence and a conscious decision. We met at the beginning of our studies in Aachen during our very first week. Throughout the intensive early semesters, we designed, worked, celebrated and, in many ways, practically lived together. It quickly became clear to us that we complemented each other very well. Over time, the desire to establish a practice together became increasingly prominent. In 2008, almost three years after graduating and while based in Vienna and Zurich, we won our first design-and-build competition with the Maria Enzersdorf Childcare Centre.

You work across borders from two locations. Where did it all begin, and what was the reason for positioning yourselves in this way? And how do you manage the distance between Vienna and Zurich?

Working across borders from our offices in Vienna and Zurich is largely due to our personal circumstances. I, Petra Meng, have lived in Zurich with my family since 2005, while Sabrina Mehlan and Stefanie Wögrath live with their families in Vienna. Following our shared competition win in 2008, we became self-employed and hardly had any time to question the two-office setup. We see our roots in both countries as a great enrichment. Digital collaboration is practically part of our DNA. Although in the early years we also travelled frequently by air, depending on what each project required. Nowadays, we meet only two or three times a year, mainly for special occasions – whether it is our Christmas celebration, a project opening, or a lecture. However, we still exchange ideas and work together every day, largely via Teams and Miro.

Being an architect has always been a profession that carries great responsibility. However, it seems that even more responsibility now lies ahead: climate change, energy issues, resources, and so on. How do you approach these new challenges?

Being open to new ideas is certainly essential in our profession. We embrace this responsibility and use these challenges as opportunities to develop new design strategies or derive a creative approach to a task. One example is the green façade of the training swimming hall in the Großfeldsiedlung development, which was conceived as an adaptation to climate change. Although key issues such as resource conservation, circularity and climate adaptation occupy a great deal of our attention, we must not forget that we also have an architectural and artistic mission to fulfil. One thing is certain: it never gets boring.

Does the profession still resemble what you imagined at the beginning of your studies? How has it changed?

During our studies, we focused almost exclusively on design and conceptual approaches. At that time in Aachen, the Dutch architectural scene (particularly firms such as MVRDV and Rem Koolhaas), had a significant influence on us. Once we founded our practice, a great deal of organisational work suddenly became part of our daily lives, and traditional design work was often pushed to the margins of the day or into the weekends. Fortunately, we have grown over the years and are now supported by an experienced and well-coordinated team, which allows us to devote more time once again to intensive design work.

You have been working as a trio for a long time. How have you grown together through the challenges you have faced?

Absolutely! Not only have we grown together over the years, but our confidence in ourselves and in the practice has also grown. This becomes particularly evident during difficult times. In periods of crisis, we find solutions together and do not allow ourselves to be thrown off course.

The main theme of ARCHITECT@WORK - were you’ll also be giving a talk at the Vienna edition in September - is transformation. What does that mean to you in your work?

On the one hand, we are the ones who give transformation its form and expression. On the other hand, our own work is also subject to continuous change. As a team, we strive to remain agile and open to new ideas and perspectives.

Generally speaking, if you had the choice: would you rather build something new, or continue the story of what already exists?

Building upon and continuing what already exists is of great importance to illiz. We find a great deal of inspiration in what we encounter. Sometimes it is more a source of friction than inspiration, but even that can give rise to exciting ideas.

How important do you think it will be in the future to rethink and reshape existing buildings and spaces?

Refurbishing, adapting and extending existing structures will occupy us even more in the future, particularly in terms of conserving resources and increasing urban density. In the past, rethinking what already existed may have been an option; today, it is a necessity. Our clients have recognised this as well.

Which of your projects would best fit this approach?

Since the founding of our practice, working with existing structures has played a central role in our work. Particularly noteworthy are the conversion of an existing underground civil defence shelter into a school swimming pool in Erlenbach, and the transformation of Exhibition Hall 9 in Zurich into a multi-sports hall.

How do you proceed when you reach a dead end in the design process? Do you start again from scratch, or do you persevere and push through?

Perhaps it is more a case of taking two steps forward and one step back. We have never abandoned a project entirely, but forcing something through when it is clear that it is not quite working is equally difficult. For us, design is a continuous process that begins with a strong conceptual idea. That idea guides us through many of the decisions that follow. When we find ourselves at a dead end, returning to that initial concept is often the best way to regain direction.

You are often invited to give talks and lectures. What would you like to inspire colleagues and audiences with?

Our projects and the joy of architecture are always at the centre of what we present. Even after almost 20 years of running our own practice, we have not lost that enthusiasm.

Would you like to encourage a shift in thinking within architecture? Is the time right for it?

The process of rethinking has already begun.

You clearly have a great deal going on. What comes next?

We are taking the step into Germany and will begin work this autumn on a major indoor swimming pool project in Munich. As all three of us come from Germany and left our home country during or immediately after our studies, it is especially rewarding that, after almost 20 years of independent practice in Vienna and Zurich, we are now also able to work in Germany.