Against the backdrop of Steyr’s history of flooding, two design projects highlight the city’s potential for solidarity.

In Steyr, the river of the same name meets the river Enns. Water has a significant impact on people’s lives here – not least because of the recurring, often devastating floods. History has shown that the residents of this Upper Austrian city pull together closely and stand in solidarity with one another, especially during such natural disasters. The Art and Design Department at HTL Steyr takes up this spirit of solidarity and, at the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK, expresses it through special design objects that reflect its curriculum – which combines design education with solid craftsmanship and modern manufacturing technology. The exhibition “Glanzstücke” showcases works by alumni and the school community, which will be auctioned off by the Dorotheum after the festival to benefit Licht ins Dunkel. At the confluence in Steyr stands the “Eiserner Panther” (Iron Panther), a flood barrier dating from 1915, a replica of which is being created for the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK Festival Headquarters. Just as 111 years ago, nails are being forged on site, which visitors can hammer in in exchange for a donation.