# Ultra-Organic Architecture Austria's Kunsthaus Graz Oozes Art By Elsa Blaine | Published 2008-12-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultra-organic-architecture-austrias-kunsthaus-graz-oozes-art References: [dailyicon.net](http://www.dailyicon.net/2008/12/kunsthaus-graz-austria-by-peter-cook-and-colin-fournier/) & [kunsthausgraz.steiermark.at](http://www.kunsthausgraz.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/10201227/4938704) This strange-looking Austrian art gallery called “Kunsthaus Graz” in German is also known as the “friendly alien,” by locals in the urban city. Designed by architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier of London, the [organically-shaped building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-leaves) looks somewhat like a shiny metallic water balloon that has been placed in the center of town and allowed to ooze its way around the existing historic structures. The [glass portholes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsinki-design-and-architecture-museum) sticking out from the roof sort of make the gallery oddly resemble a human heart, but are actually there to allow in daylight. According to the designer, “While the building’s interior is meant to inspire its curators as a black box of hidden tricks (Colin Fournier), its outer skin is a media façade which can be changed electronically. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Ultra-organic Architecture:** Opportunity to explore innovative and sustainable building materials and designs. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art Galleries:** Potential for incorporating interactive elements and media facades to enhance the visitor experience. - **Architecture:** Ability to create unique and visually stunning structures that blend with existing urban landscapes. - **Technology:** Opportunity to develop advanced media facades and electronic systems for changing building exteriors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nature-Rooted Family Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haus-am-lagnesberg.md) - [Curved Translucent Experimental Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptors-apartment.md) - [Pavilion-Style Art Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galeria-house.md) - [Transformed Disused Steelwork Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expo-cultural-park-greenhouse.md) - [Paper-Inspired Artful Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-for-papirkunst.md) - [Billowing Modular Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curly-cube.md) - [Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunner-museum.md) - [Sculptural Photocoltaic Theater Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/opera-and-ballet-theatre-of-kosovo.md) - [Textural Red Concrete Clinics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clinic-in-anif.md)