Vienna's Alterlaa: The Utopian Vision of Collective Living
The documentary 27 Storeys examines the success of this social housing project.
1The Birth of Alterlaa
Designed by architect Harry Glück in the 1970s, Alterlaa is considered one of Vienna's most successful social housing projects. These pyramid-shaped structures, housing over 3,000 apartments, create a city within a city. The project embodies the utilitarian ideal of 'the greatest happiness for the greatest number' by combining affordable housing with swimming pools, shopping centers, and schools.
2Return to a Childhood Home
Director Bianca Gleissinger returns to Alterlaa, where she spent her childhood, in her documentary. Archival footage of her family living in one of the apartments sheds light on the project's early years. These grainy images show how a young family benefited from the building's amenities. Gleissinger reflects on her younger self through these memories.
3An Architectural Time Capsule
The documentary focuses on the apartment of Peter, who has lived in the building since the 1970s. Decorated with dark laminate wood breakfast nooks and period wallpaper, the apartment reflects the era's aesthetics. Peter shares analog footage of Alterlaa under construction, stating 'I'll only leave here when I die,' emphasizing his attachment to the building.
4An Aging Community
The documentary highlights Alterlaa's increasingly aging population. While strong community bonds exist among residents, they're sometimes interpreted as stubbornness or complacency. Though criticized as 'Austria's most successful retirement home,' Gleissinger presents this not as a flaw but as a natural outcome of complex social dynamics.
5Vibrant Social Clubs
Elderly residents maintain various social clubs for model making, card games, photography, stamp collecting, shooting, and pottery. The documentary shows a 'Freddy Quinn museum' run by parents of Gleissinger's childhood friend. Younger residents admit they view these clubs as being for older generations.
6The Generation Gap
Interviews with young residents at Alterlaa's rooftop pools reveal they avoid clubs due to their tech-focused lifestyles, while older residents see this as self-isolation. This highlights the communication gap between generations within the community.
7Collective Decision-Making
The documentary details Alterlaa's unique governance: a tenant advisory board, a corporate structure where residents hold shares (giving them veto power over community changes), regular board meetings, and newsletters. This system represents a successful model of democratic collective living.
8Between Utopia and Reality
27 Storeys reveals both the happiness Alterlaa provides and its imperfections. Gleissinger suggests that life not matching utopian promises isn't the fault of architecture or urban planning, but an inevitable part of human experience. The project offers important lessons about social housing that remain relevant today.