The structure, more sculpture than building, eludes the viewers’ appreciation, constantly altering its expression and shape, and resists being drawn to scale, opting instead to be a concrete manifestation of the interplay of forces. The torsion around the northwest axis of the building generates a multitude of hyperparabolic surfaces. The connecting lines of the ground and roof floors’ unequal squares create spectacularly contorted surfaces, difficult for the human eye to comprehend. The sculpture twists around its vertical axis, tapers towards the top, and thanks to a carved-out incision in the roof, provides a clear view of Göttweig Benedictine monastery. Apart from the ground floor’s four glazed arches, it is this gesture which connects the building’s interior with the genius loci. This helps one of the most important landmarks of the Wachau Region to achieve its full effect, as the viewer’s eye is drawn to the historical monastery. Otherwise, the malleable construction seems hermetic from the outside. The scale armor composed of matte zinc rhombuses transforms the “four-legged” concrete giant into an armadillo in knight’s armor.

Inside, the two concrete towers forming the vertical constant of the building are a point of reference, an aid to orientation, and Escher-like stairs in one. Two fire escape staircases build one DNA helix, which leads and confuses viewers simultaneously.