The Werkbundsiedlung in Vienna is one of those places where you can study how people (aka famous architects) in the past imagined the “modern way of living”. While walking through this housing estate you can soak up the unique atmosphere of something that is both historic and thought-provoking for the future at the same time. (Photo: Bwag/Wikimedia)

An off-space in a more classical sense, Ada is an eclectic merge of a crumbling Viennese apartment and technology-enthusiastic DIY. Among witty interventions and mismatched wallpapers it offers a relaxed, but solid program focused on media art.

Smartly curated and art savvy, Mauve has been putting together reliably excellent shows with a focus on contemporary painting since 2012. Mauve’s bar features a neon cactus, a choice of favourite drinks and a crowd of artists in their natural habitat.

Sous bois doubles up as a graphic designer’s office for its owner and is a candy-coloured materialisation of her playful aesthetics and enthusiasm for all things stationary. In summer, the parking place in front of the shop becomes a tropical-themed paradise for bookbinding and typographic workshops.

Although in possession of a very convincing white-cube space, Hoast adds flavour to their exhibition program with a generous portion of socially-minded neighbourhood events: be it a flea market as a way for artists to raise money for their proposed projects or a communal election-watching night with chilli con carne and vodka.