The new UMAK Mozarteum University building has officially opened in Salzburg, Austria, marking a significant addition to the city's historic Kurgarten district. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Berger Parkkinen + Architects, the 3,877-square-meter facility was completed in 2025 and represents a modern interpretation of educational architecture in one of Europe's most culturally significant cities.

The project was commissioned in 2021, with the architectural team led by Alfred Berger and Tiina Parkkinen taking on the challenge of creating a contemporary structure that would complement Salzburg's UNESCO World Heritage cityscape. The building is strategically located adjacent to the Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus, which was also designed by Berger Parkkinen + Architects and completed in 2019, creating a cohesive architectural dialogue between the two structures.

The design team, including project members Lucie Najvarova, Serban Ganea, Lenia Mascha, Frane Trebotic, Joanna Magiera, and Viktor Gautrin, developed a clear and distinctive architectural language that characterizes the historic city center while meeting the functional requirements of a modern university facility. The building's facade features ceramic elements provided by NBK Keramik GmbH, with facade planning handled by Wilfried Minniberg and consultation services provided by GFT Fassaden GmbH.

Construction was managed by a comprehensive team of specialists, with RHZ Bau GmbH serving as the primary construction company and Bleierer Baumanagement providing local construction supervision. The structural engineering was handled by BauCon, while construction physics consultation was provided by Ingenieurbüro Rothbacher. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were designed by Haustechnik Dick & Harner, with electrical engineering services provided by Technisches Büro Herbst GmbH.

Special attention was paid to lighting design, with Bartenbach - The Lighting Innovators creating an illumination scheme that enhances both the building's architectural features and its educational functions. The project also incorporated advanced building technologies, including elevator systems by Kone AG and specialized installations for HVAC by Markus Stolz GmbH & Co. KG, with ventilation systems provided by Bacon Gebäudetechnik GmbH.

The interior design reflects the university's commitment to providing state-of-the-art educational facilities, with terrazzo flooring by Hlawna GmbH and custom metalwork by Metallbau Schlosserei Schrattenecker GmbH. The building's cultural design elements were developed by MJP ZT GmbH, ensuring that the spaces support both traditional and contemporary approaches to musical and artistic education.

This new addition to the Mozarteum University campus represents a significant investment in Austria's cultural and educational infrastructure. The building stands as a testament to how modern architecture can successfully integrate with historic urban environments while providing cutting-edge facilities for the next generation of musicians and artists. The project demonstrates the ongoing evolution of Salzburg as a center for musical education and cultural preservation, building upon the city's rich heritage as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.