Vienna's "Q" Takes Shape: New Science Center for Young People Rises in the City Center

Three Backers, One Goal

According to the information provided, the conversion is being funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science. The federal real estate company BIG is responsible for the building's implementation. Founding Director Christopher Lindinger explained that the ongoing operating costs should later be borne by the University of Vienna and TU Wien.

Lindinger also outlined the house's financial goal: "Unser Ziel wäre dann später aber eine Eigenfinanzierung von 25 bis 30 Prozent". This is meant to cover part of operations in the future through its own revenues — for example, through events, partnerships, or sponsorships.

Politics and Academy Pulling in the Same Direction

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) emphasized the venue's target audience at the project's presentation. "Mit dem Q entsteht ein Ort, an dem Kinder und Jugendliche Wissenschaft nicht nur kennenlernen, sondern selbst Fragen stellen, ausprobieren und Zukunft mitgestalten", Wiederkehr said.

ÖAW President Heinz Faßmann likewise underscored the project's societal dimension. He expressed his wish that "es viele Menschen dazu bringt, die Welt mit anderen Augen zu sehen und vor allem bei Kindern und Jugendlichen Begeisterung für Wissenschaft und Forschung entfacht."

The Q team explicitly does not see the center as a classic museum, but rather as an open learning and experimentation space. School classes, families, and interested visitors are to be just as welcome there as researchers who want to present their work to a broad public.

Heritage-Listed Setting for Modern Research

With its location in the heritage-listed Aula of Sciences, the project also gains a historically charged setting. The combination of baroque building fabric and modern science communication is considered programmatic by those involved: research should take place where the city can see it.

Until the planned opening in spring 2027, the focus is now above all on the construction work. In the coming months, Lindinger and his team also want to flesh out the venue's future program and bring educational partners, schools, and research institutions on board.

Outlook Through Spring 2027

With Q, Vienna is gaining another venue that places the communication of science to a broad audience — and especially to young people — at its center. If the concept takes hold, the center could become a permanent fixture of Vienna's education and research landscape.