Argos by Zaha Hadid

Argos is a project by Zaha Hadid Architects in the heart of Graz. It thoughtfully combines apartments, offices, and retail. The base with its transparent facade provides space for shops and offices, while above it rises a five-story residential area that seems to float above the building.

The facade shapes the appearance of the building. 43 funnel-shaped window bodies, called funnels, protrude from the surface. Each of these elements has a central window and gives the house a special dynamism. The construction consists of a glued laminated timber substructure, fiberglass reinforced plastic, and high-quality insulation – a combination of technology, aesthetics, and efficiency.

Inside, there are now serviced apartments, meaning apartments with hotel-like services. The project originated from an international competition that Zaha Hadid won in 2004. Construction began in 2015, the shell was completed in 2018, and the building was opened in 2020.

Argos demonstrates how contemporary architecture can be integrated into the existing structure of the city without losing its character.