Cool hammocks are more associated with Caribbean beaches and backyard swimming pools than they are the stuff of urban northern European. Yet it is in the middle of Vienna, in the Austrian capital’s Museum Quarter, that you’ll find the Flederhaus. The five-story public structure is like a sort of hammock village under one roof.











The Flederhaus—the name of which is a pun off the German word “fledermaus,” which means “bat” auf Deutsch—was designed by the Viennese architectural firm Heri & Salli to be a bit shocking and out-of-place. It was also designed to be inviting. Use of the Flederhouse is free. The front and the back of the building are completely open, which provides a sense of accessibility (and also for wonderful views). The 28 hammocks themselves are arranged such that people can meet and have conversations with their fellow slackers.

In the immediate vicinity of the Flederhaus, the Museum Quarter (or “MQ” in local parlance) has lots of cool exhibits, concerts and other goings for travelers to check out. Architecture buffs, head to the Architekturzentrum Wien. In addition to all the outdoor public art there are museums like the Leopold and the MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna). Most weekends there’s at least some special festival or performance happening.

That said, there is one huge flaw in the design and location of the Flederhaus. While we love the open nature of this hammock village, Spot Cool Stuff would prefer if it were next door to a equally open frozen daiquiri village.

published: 26 Oct 2011

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