about me

Biography

Nicolaj Kirisits is an Austrian architect and sound artist. His interdisciplinary practice brings together architecture, art and research, exploring the relationship between space, sound and perception. He understands sound as a spatial and form-generating element that connects architectural, social and cultural dimensions.

Kirisits studied architecture at TU Wien as well as electroacoustic and experimental music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. As part of his doctoral studies at TU Wien, his dissertation, “On the Notation of Sound Spaces, or How to Think Architecture Through Sound,” investigated how acoustic environments can be documented and integrated as design elements into architectural processes. Since 2003, he has been active, among other roles, as a Senior Artist at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, where he directs the SoundArtLab within the Department of Digital Arts. His research focuses on time-based structures, spatial sound concepts and their application in media installations and architectural contexts.

His work has been presented internationally, including at Ars Electronica, SIGGRAPH, FILE Festival, the Havana Biennial and the 5th Moscow Biennale. His installations frequently employ immersive sound environments, binaural techniques and interactive systems in which space is understood not merely as a backdrop, but as an active component of the work.

Alongside his artistic and academic practice, Kirisits also works as an architect. Together with Günter Lautner, he won several architectural competitions in the fields of urban development and housing. He has also realised projects involving single-family houses, renovations and furniture design.

As a curator, he has initiated and developed numerous projects dealing with sound art, digital media and performative spaces, including “Re.Pairing.Future” in Portugal, the “Digital Art Network Festival” in Vienna and “Maschinenorchester” in Lindabrunn. His work has received several awards and grants, including the Schütte-Lihotzky Scholarship, a Departure project grant from the City of Vienna and an Intra research grant from the Austrian Ministry of Science.

CV

Professional Experience

  • 2013– Nicolaj Kirisits — architecture / sound art / research
  • 2003– Senior Artist (50% employment), University of Applied Arts Vienna
    Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art
    Department of Digital Art
  • 1999–2013 Laki Architects (Lautner & Kirisits)
  • 2000 Ziviltechniker (licensed architect)

Education

  • 2019–2026 Doctoral studies, “On the Notation of Sound Spaces, or How to Think Architecture Through Sound”, TU Wien
  • 1987–1997 Architecture studies, diploma thesis “House for New Music”, TU Wien
  • 1990–1995 Studies in electroacoustic and experimental music, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Exhibitions / Performances (selection)

  • 2026 Resonant Blech / sound performance / Vanishing Acts Symposium / Valletta / (MT)
  • 2023 Morphology of Sound / series of performances and installations / Festival of the University of Applied Arts Vienna / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2021 urban sequences / interactive sound installation / Unheard Landscapes / (FR)
  • 2019 Sirenen / binaural interactive sound installation / Bienal de La Habana / (CUB)
  • 2019 Sirenen / binaural interactive sound installation / Animafestival / Zagreb / (HR)
  • 2018 Soundcloud / sound installation / From Nothing to Something / (AT)
  • 2018 Sirenen / binaural interactive sound installation / #fuckreality / Kunstraum Niederösterreich / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2015 polymetrische Architektur / kinetic model / MQ – Schauraum / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2013 useful(2156)machine(8) / 3D-printed sculpture / 5th Moscow Biennale / (RUS)
  • 2012 useful(2156)machine(8) / 3D-printed sculpture / Djinie in a Bottle / Galerie Lisi Hämmerle / (AT)
  • 2009 Biological Instrumentation / interactive sound installation / SIGGRAPH / New Orleans / (USA)
  • 2008 Transit / GPS-based media sculpture / MMW2008 / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2006 HD / sound performance / NIME06 / IRCAM Paris / (FR)
  • 2006 HD / sound performance / TakeAway Festival / London / (UK)
  • 2006 HD / sound performance / Digital Art Week / Zurich
  • 2006 Rahmenbedingung / MQ / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2006 Echos / FILE Festival / Rio de Janeiro / (BRA)
  • 2005 Echos / FILE Festival / São Paulo / (BRA)
  • 2005 Echos / Break 2.3 / Ljubljana / (SVN)
  • 2004 Echos / The Jetty / Art Bodensee / Dornbirn / (AT)
  • 2003 Uzume / interactive sound installation / Ars Electronica 2003 / Linz / (AT)
  • 2002 Hängende Gärten / Laki Architekten / Austrian Cultural Forum / New York / (USA)
  • 2001 Uzume / interactive sound installation / The Adventure of the Cave / NTT ICC / Tokyo / (JPN)
  • 1999 die Welle / sound installation for the opening of the art-in-public-buildings project “die Welle” by Reinhard Bernsteiner and Karin Zeitlhuber / Villach / (AT)

Curation (selection)

  • 2022 Re.Pairing.Future – Aveiro / Aveiro / (PRT)
  • 2020 DAN – Digital Art Network / Festival die Angewandte / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2019 Maschinenorchester / Lindabrunn / (AT)
  • 2018 Soundart Open Air / Lindabrunn / (AT)
  • 2017 Fenstersturz / Lichthof A / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2016 infected structures / Sokołowsko / (POL)
  • 2015 Klangkunst / Lindabrunn / (AT)
  • 2012 The Way Things May Go / network project in collaboration with UdK Berlin, Prof. Alberto de Campo / (AT, GER)
  • 2011 cultural morphing / Vienna–Shanghai / Ö1 Kunstradio
  • 2009 informelles radio / Vienna tramway, various radio stations (Ö1, FM4, local radio) / Vienna
  • 2009 Fassaden Festival / Ars Electronica / Linz / (AT)
  • 2008 Klangmaschinen / Hainburg; Guthman Musical Instrument Competition / Atlanta / (USA)
  • 2007 Digital Claiming / Pločica / (HR)
  • 2007 ferngesteuert / Kleylehof / (AT)
  • 2006 Praterstern / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2006 Transit / Kleylehof / (AT)
  • 2005 Steinhof / Otto Wagner Hospital / Vienna / (AT)
  • 2005 speakers / Kleylehof / (AT)
  • 2004 the Hub / Kleylehof / (AT)

Festival Organisation / Artistic Direction

  • 2019–2020 Artistic Director, Symposium Lindabrunn / (AT)
  • 2008 Curatorial and organisation board / MMW Mobile Music Workshop – Festival / Vienna / (AT)

Architecture (selection)

  • 2026 Renovation-extension / House St. / Tyrol
  • 2022 Renovation / Mühle m_bast / Styria
  • 2021–2022 Interior architecture / Wohnung S.W. / Vienna
  • 2018–2020 Interior architecture / Wohnung N.K. / Vienna
  • 2015–2017 Single-family house / Haus R.N. / Klosterneuburg
  • 2013–2014 Single-family house / Haus E.N. / Klosterneuburg
  • 2012–2013 Renovation / Haus E.P. / Palermo
  • 2008–2012 Housing / Versunkene Gärten (Bike&Swim), 220 apartments / Vienna
  • 2009 Exhibition design / Alias in Wonderland / MQ Vienna
  • 2008 Architecture competition / Junges und kostengünstiges Wohnen, Vorgartenstraße / 2nd stage
  • 2007–2011 Housing / Heller, 70 apartments / Vienna
  • 2007 Architecture competition / Junges und kostengünstiges Wohnen, Vorgartenstraße / 1st stage
  • 2007 Architecture competition / Passivhaus Trondheimgasse / invited competition
  • 2005 Architecture competition / Pedestrian bridge Linz
  • 2003 Architecture competition / Urban development alte Busgarage, Nordbahnhof / 1st prize
  • 2003 Architecture competition / Heller Fabrik / prizewinner
  • 2002 Architecture competition / Extension HBLA and HTBLA Braunau / 2nd prize
  • 2002 Architecture competition / University of Applied Sciences Wels / 2nd prize
  • 2001 Architecture competition / Universitätssportzentrum Schmelz / 2nd stage
  • 2000 Architecture competition / Schule Vigaun, Salzburg / 2nd stage
  • 2000 Architecture competition / Hauptschule Leogang, Salzburg / 2nd prize
  • 1999–2002 Housing / Hängende Gärten, 220 apartments / Vienna
  • 1999 Architecture competition / Wienerbergcity Bauteil H / 1st prize

Publications (selection)

  • Nicolaj Kirisits: On the Notation of Sound Spaces, or How to Think Architecture Through Sound
    Kirisits, N. (2026). Über die Notation von Klangräumen oder wie man Architektur klangbasiert denkt. Doctoral dissertation, TU Wien.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Sound as Score in Architectural Plans
    Kirisits, N. (2026). Sound as Score in Architectural Plans: a Path-based Notation Workflow Using Ambisonics + 360° Video. In E. Schimana (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Technologies for Music Notation and Representation — TENOR’26 (p. 133). Vienna: mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. ISBN 978-0-6481592-2-3.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Architectural Listening
    Kirisits, N. (2025). Architectural Listening. FKL Symposium, Catania, Italy.
  • Richard Zemp: Bike & Swim
    Zemp, R. (2019). Bike & Swim. In R. Zemp, A. Juppien, & F. Winterberger, Innovative Wohnformen (pp. 36–39). Zurich: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Sirenen
    Kirisits, N. (2018). Sirenen. In M. Kusch, A. Schantl, & R. Schnell, #fuckreality. Vienna: Verlag für moderne Kunst.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Usefull (2156) Machine (8)
    Kirisits, N. (2013). Usefull(2156) Machine(8). In R. Schnell & W. Fiel, Bits to Pieces. Vienna: University of Applied Arts Vienna.
  • Maik Novotny: new works: Lautner + Kirisits
    Novotny, M. (2012, Dec.). new works: Lautner + Kirisits. Mark Magazine, No. 41.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Universe Architecture
    Kirisits, N. (2009). Universe Architecture. In V. Widrich, Alias in Wonderland. Vienna: University of Applied Arts Vienna.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: The Geography of the Unseen
    Kirisits, N. (2009). The Geography of the Unseen. In R. Ascott, G. Bast, W. Fiel, M. Jahrmann, & R. Schnell, New Realities: Being Syncretic Consciousness Reframed: The Planetary Collegium's IXth International Research Conference. Vienna / New York: Springer.
  • Creative Interactions – The Mobile Music Workshop 2004–2008
    Kirisits, N., Behrendt, F., Gaye, L., & Tanaka, A. (2008). Creative Interactions – The Mobile Music Workshop 2004–2008. Vienna: University of Applied Arts Vienna.
  • Nicolaj Kirisits: Timeobjects
    Kirisits, N. (2006). Timeobjects. In R. Baretto & P. Perissinotto, File Rio. Rio de Janeiro: FILE Festival Rio.
  • Jan Tabor: Der Sieg über die Gravitation Architektur: Lautner Kirisits
    Tabor, J. (2006). Der Sieg über die Gravitation Architektur: Lautner Kirisits. In W. Chramosta, Just! Architecture From Austria: Critics Choice. Graz: Haus der Architektur.