I finally made it over to the unusually funky tower that graces Vienna’s skyline. It turns out it is part of a larger building which is decked out in a crazy, humorously-ugly-but-I’m-still-glad-it’s-there, whimsical style. There are plenty of things to like and plenty of things to hate about the building.

In 1987 Vienna’s garbage destructor burned down and so the city needed to rebuild it. They decided to invite “nature-loving” artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser to design it to emphasize how environmentally friendly the new facility would be. The Destructor burns 17 tons of garbage per hour producing energy to heat the city of Vienna.

I like the cut outs for trees and the green roof.

I do love the tower. The shining metallic globe near the top shines in the sun and the base is made up of a funky abstract mosaic pattern, which really suits it. Tho much of Vienna hates the look of the destructor, calling it an “eye sore” or an “unhealthy building.” I am glad it’s there.