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The ramp leads to the second gallery space, which has large, stylized, circular light fixtures. The tubes are concentric circles that create a spiral-like effect, drawing the eye to the natural light above. The lights are fitted inside the roof light nozzles, which function as peep holes to the outside. It is difficult to conceive of any art that would not be dwarfed by the compelling lighting and spatial expanses of the galleries.

The 185 acrylic panels on the inside have a few isolated transparent openings which reveal carefully framed views of the urban surroundings. When the nozzles appear above and ahead, it becomes clear that one has arrived at the upper portion of the beast. Looking out from this unusual vantage point 52 feet (16 meters) above ground suggests the friendly alien is keeping watch over the Old Town.

View from the Top

The climax of the journey is the viewing platform on the top level. A long, thin "needle" allows visitors to walk through the low, narrow space that frames views out across the river. The viewing platform also offers a closer look at the alien form, including the detailing of the acrylic panels and a glimpse of the media facade below.

After this experience, exiting the building is somewhat anticlimactic. The moving ramp only goes up, so the journey down the stairs (or elevator) feels like exiting through the back entrance. The journey down to the glass-walled lobby seems much shorter, with less of the ritual and magic.

The key to the success of the interior is that there is, from the inside, a strong sense of being in the building as understood from the outside. The two are not separate as they are in other "blobby" buildings in which the interior is a traditional space with little reference to the exterior.

During and after the opening weekend, the empty gallery attracted a constant stream of curious visitors. Now, the exhibit "Imagination: Perception in Art" is making the Kunsthaus is a veritable spectacle of artistic awareness housed in a fantastic, imaginative gallery space.

Terri Whitehead is an architectural journalist and works at Haverstock Associates Architects in London.

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The Kunsthaus in Graz, Austria designed by Peter Cook, Colin Fournier, and Architektur Consult. Photo: Schiffer Moving ramp guides visitors through the galleries. Photo: Kaunat Fluorescent tubes line the inside surfaces of the daylight nozzles. Photo: Kaunat The interior mimics the playfulness of the exterior. Photo: Terri Whitehead Light tubes in concentric circles create a spiral-like effect. Photo: Kaunat One of the carefully framed views out to historic Graz. Photo: Schiffer   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.