The KunstRaum Goethestrasse xtd (Goethestrasse Art Space xtd) excels at creating atmospheres, telling stories, and welcoming people into an inspiring environment. As part of the move into a new building, KunstRaum Goethestrasse xtd was invited to develop the design for the two-story department of the Ambulatory Psychosocial Rehabilitation Graz (APR Graz). A fantastical world was created, connecting both floors, especially for the users. “Wonderful – simply wonderful!” explores the other and the fantastical through the relationship between humans and animals. Animal symbolism provides abstractions for processing emotions and simultaneously offers a projection surface for more challenging topics. The details of the design were coordinated in several rounds with the client, doctors, architects, and the construction management team to ensure that the themes and imagery welcomed users into a positive atmosphere and avoided any potential disruption.

Two of the four design elements were created in collaboration with participants. The mural in the entrance area depicts the primal encounter between humans and animals: a herd seen from a distance; The painting is reminiscent of ancient animal depictions and cave paintings. Outlines and shadows of animals were painted on the wall, both individually and superimposed, with varying degrees of definition in shades of brown. Selected animal forms were reproduced in detail using plaster. These plaster animals were then mounted as ornamental reliefs on the walls in specific locations. Additionally, the animal was depicted in a contemporary cartoon style on a photo mural in the seating area. At approximately 1–1.5 meters high, the photo murals create an enveloping and sheltered space for the seating area. To encourage immersion in the wonder, a quote from Alice in Wonderland (7) was chosen as a textual introduction and inscribed in the porcelain stoneware of the staircase. Parts of the design were successfully shared with the public. Selected animal forms from the reliefs were reproduced again in plaster and given away as individual figurines at the opening as gifts for guests. The positive response to these figurines demonstrated that elements of the interior design can be sold as products or souvenirs.