Pier ½ is a sculptural cyclists’ shelter on the “Iron Curtain Trail” – a cycle path along the former Iron Curtain. In Lower Austria, a series of works of art are being created along the route as part of the “Super Natur” project. Pier ½ was inaugurated in Angern an der March in June 2024.
© Kollektiv Plus X
A half-cloud-shaped staircase invites you to enjoy the view – the view towards Slovakia, on the other side of the former Iron Curtain. Imaginary, it continues on „the other“ side, borders are overcome – over the biotope and the river March. Pier ½ as a symbol of a remnant of a former bridge? Or a staircase to heaven?
© Kollektiv Plus X
Cyclists can find shelter in the room under the stairs – benches and a table in a dry room invite you to take a break and protect you from wind and rain. Aesthetically located in the postmodern era, which reached its peak in the late 80s and early 90s – when the Iron Curtain fell – but covered with wooden shingles that give it a traditional look at the same time.
© Kollektiv Plus X
Stefanie Rittler and Sascha Henken from Kollektiv Plus X collaborated with each other in 2017 on “Waiting For Water” in Amsterdam and “The Winner Takes It All” in Bremen. Usable, interactive sculptures that draw their inspiration for content and form from their surroundings – but always with a wink in their eye. Here on the Iron Curtain Trail, too, their work is inspired by the history of the place and adapts to the conditions of the terrain. A staircase as a gesture of connection and simultaneous separation. Kollektiv Plus X is a design and urbanism collective based in Halle and Leipzig, Germany. Stefanie Rittler is a photographer and designer based in Munich and all over the world.
Project Info
Architects: Kollektiv Plus X, Stefanie Rittler
Area: 16 m²
Year: 2024
Country: Angern an der March, Austria
Photographs: Kollektiv Plus X
Design Team: Sascha Henken, Stefanie Rittler
Woodworking: Tischlerei Noll
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.