Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) is an international architecture office based in Vienna, Austria.

Our vision: adding value to places through an architecture that intensifies given qualities by creating new choreographies of space.

DMAA addresses the social and ecological issues of today, rejecting routine responses in favour of a passionate and relentless focus on the new and the unconventional.

This is exemplified by such flagship projects as the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart and the Festspielhaus Erl, as well as unconventional residential buildings including House Ray 1, City Lofts and the award-winning High-Rise Wienerberg.

The history of the office begins with a leap into the deep end: the very first buildings are large-scale projects, realised in a residential area near the UNO City in Vienna. Both structures demonstrate creative boldness: while one design, the Mischek Tower, explores classical verticality and was, at the time, the highest residential building in Austria, the other – Beam Donaucity – embraces a horizontal concept. With its 180-metre-long, elongated structure, it aligns with the banks of the Danube River.

The office achieves a comparable level of creative freedom with a series of residential buildings. DMAA employs a range of approaches to explore the concept of individuality: at Paltramplatz, individual apartments are stacked in a way that creates a rich variety of interior spaces and facades. In another project, Steigenteschgasse, identical floor plans take on unique characteristics through the varying placement of windows, significantly altering the perception of each living space. The office achieves a comparable level of creative freedom with a series of residential buildings. DMAA employs a range of approaches to explore the concept of individuality: at Paltramplatz, individual apartments are stacked in a way that creates a rich variety of interior spaces and facades.

In another project, Steigenteschgasse, identical floor plans take on unique characteristics through the varying placement of windows, significantly altering the perception of each living space. The pinnacle of this exploration is reached with City Lofts Wienerberg, a housing project where 47 multi-level apartments interlock like pieces of a 3D puzzle, each featuring a unique floor plan and spatial character. Another striking statement in the international architectural landscape came in 2003 with the remodelling of the roof level of a 1960s’ office building– House Ray 1.

In the 2000s, the office expands its activities beyond Austria’s borders. DMAA gains international recognition by winning competitions with spectacular designs for cultural landmarks. Its architectural language is shaped by a strong contextual approach, with each building being carefully positioned in relation to its surroundings. This philosophy is exemplified by the Festspielhaus Erl, where it manifests as a tectonically dynamic structure with sculptural qualities. The building appears both as a rock and a resonating body, with the entire concert hall bringing music to life – its wooden walls vibrating like those of a musical instrument.

At the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, reflections on the role of cinema lead to a redefinition of the relationship between the auditoria and the public area. The design envisions the expansive complex as a spacious arena, transforming the cinema into a place of communication that offers an exceptional visitor experience. Another key project from this period is the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

Located near the production facilities in the heart of an industrial zone, DMAA’s intervention creates an emotionally charged architectural statement. Supported by just three pillars, the massive structure appears to float above the ground, opening up views of its surroundings. The visitor’s entry into the Porsche universe is precisely choreographed: the subtly sloping forecourt naturally accelerates movement toward the foyer. From there, an escalator ascends into the open air before dramatically passing through a funnel-shaped opening into the heart of the expansive exhibition space.

In 2015, Elke Delugan-Meissl is appointed Commissioner of Austria’s contribution to the Architecture Biennale in Venice. As the movement of migrants toward Europe reaches its peak, DMAA and Liquid Frontiers initiate a collaborative project exploring the role of architecture in addressing societal challenges. Three teams are invited to develop temporary projects at three locations in Vienna, each designed to enhance the living conditions of migrants. The presentation of these tangible results in the Austrian Pavilion powerfully illustrates the deep connection between physical spaces and social issues.

The thoughtful engagement with existing spaces and their untapped potential as high-quality alternatives to new construction is becoming increasingly central to the office’s work. A prime example is the transformation of the former Kellogg’s production facilities and silos at the Port of Bremen, where minimal architectural interventions reinterpret rather than replace the existing structures. Precise modifications enhance the site’s established atmosphere while preserving its character. 
The ongoing extension and refurbishment of the Staatstheater Karlsruhe elevate the heritage of a well-known building in the form of a modern extension that also generates a coherent ensemble.

The existing building is extended along three development axes, anchoring the theatre more strongly within the urban fabric. Vienna’s largest conversion project, Althan Quartier Francis, located above Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof railway station, creates a new district centre around this key public transport hub, re-establishing its connection with the city.

In recent years, a close relationship with the Chinese region has developed, reflected in both new types of projects and the extraordinary scale of the emerging structures. These projects are specifically designed for visitor numbers that are unparalleled in Europe (e.g., Taiyuan Botanical Garden, Expo Greenhouse Shanghai). They address key themes such as the significance of public spaces, expanded ecological awareness and our understanding of the interconnectedness of nature.