Material Worlds: A Permanent Exhibition on Global Materials and Sustainability at Technisches Museum Wien

This new permanent exhibition explores the diverse materials that shape our everyday lives, from their extraction and production to their ecological consequences. Across 13 themed islands, visitors can engage with objects, media, and interactive displays to understand the complex systems of materials, technology, and sustainability.

Materials are the constant, often unnoticed, foundation of our cities, devices, and progress. The new permanent exhibition 'Material Worlds' delves into this essential aspect of our lives, highlighting the vast array of materials that surround us. Spanning 3,000 square metres with 13 themed islands, the exhibition showcases materials such as aluminum, concrete, plastics, rare earths, and steel, detailing their challenging extraction or production processes and the significant ecological consequences of their use. The exhibition contrasts the perceived immateriality of the digital age with the substantial material requirements it necessitates, noting the unprecedented consumption of materials today. It presents a synthesis of traditional knowledge, current research, and innovative, sustainability-focused processes, visualizing the intricate link between materials, social change, and technological development. A dedicated 'machine wall' section vividly demonstrates various manufacturing technologies like forging, welding, milling, and casting, illustrating how each process imparts function and form. This is exemplified through the components of a bicycle, showing how a milled chainring, welded frame, forged pedal, or injection-molded grip are all products of precise production steps, underscoring the interconnectedness of production technology, material selection, and design. 'Material Worlds' is designed to be a sensory, playful, and highly up-to-date experience, engaging visitors with objects, media, and interactive displays to reveal what our world is truly made of. The exhibition aims to foster a deeper understanding of the potential and challenges associated with the materials fundamental to our existence.

This is a permanent exhibition. Specific ticketing details or entry requirements are not provided on this page, but visitor information is typically available through the museum's main channels for general admission and special events like guided tours or workshops which may have separate fees.