The History of the ENZIS

Die Geschichte der Enzis

In 2002, when the Museum Quarter Vienna asked PPAG architects to develop ideas for the courtyard for the following winter, Enzi was just the name of Daniela Enzi. Mrs. Enzi was the MQ’s commissioner and communication representative for a long time. But now she is also the ENZI’s name giver. How did this come about?
The PPAG team designed completely new punch stands for the winter season – built together from single elements with the vision of also using them in different combinations or separately all year round.
The vision became reality: Since 2002, the furniture, the ENZIS, is an integral part of the MQ. In winter and in summer. During the daytime and the evening. And PPAG architects keep reinventing them every year. The unique geometry makes countless combinations possible. The ENZIS are especially popular during summer. In Vienna’s most visited museum quarter you can sit, lie, pick-nick, and just enjoy. This brought a new quality of life and record visitor numbers to the MQ, ultimately also revitalizing its many restaurants and cafés. Since 2007, the visitors themselves are involved in the design. Every year they can decide the new color by vote.

And they can’t get enough of the ENZIS. For years, PPAG kept on getting asked why they can only be found in the Museum Quarter and where you can buy them. This gave PPAG their new mission: to make the ENZIS the furniture of the people. From the MQ to all Austrian communities, to roof gardens and playgrounds. But how do you make an edition of 150 pieces of furniture affordable and still maintain the product’s high quality? The PPAG team embarked on a quest. Exclusive design partners or professional distributors? Complete outsourcing or do everything within the firm? PPAG tested several versions and found the ideal solution after a long test phase. Distribution, innovations, and quality management stay in their own hand. An innovative family business is in charge of the serial production. Through hand-made production of the furniture and small production series every ENZIS’ individual character is preserved.

Buchtipp:

Speaking Architecture
PPAG Popelka Poduschka Architekten Wien
ISBN 978-3-99043-638-7

Hofmöblierung Museumsquartier Wien
PPAG Popelka Poduschka Architekten Wien
ISBN 3-200-00260-3

Enzi-multifunctional modularity
PPAG architects ztgmbh
ISBN 978-3-200-01616-3

In 2010, PPAG developed a new family of ENZIS with the designers MN*LS: the Enzos. They are industrially produced from polyethylene. A vertical structure and voids support the hollow form. The material is more resistant to vandalism while production is significantly cheaper. There is no more need for annual reparations. The Enzos with the strongest signs of usage are exchanged every year in order to vary the colors. This way, there is a subtle change of color over time. The Enzos are fully recyclable.

In 2011 the new family of Soft enzis (Medium und Small) was issued and the family of Textile enzis (Medium und Small) was started in cooperation with an upholstery business. The artist Stefan Nessman designed special patterns that can be wrapped around the ENZIS seamlessly.

In 2013 PPAG developed the Vienas. They bring together industrial production (polyethylene hollow form) and the original ENZI’s compact shape. The Vienas bring together the industrial production and the compact form of the original Enzis. The hollow forms are stabilized by venations which also ensure water drainage. The edges are chamfered. Available with sunshade on request. A photovoltaic implant as a recharging station for mobile devices is currently in the works.

In 2013 PPAG developed the Twins for the headquarters of the European Cultural Capital in Kosice. A set of Twins consists of two pieces that are connected with cable ties. They are also made out of polyethylene and are hollow. And they are also endlessly combinable. They are available in medium and large.