Baron von Hansen's design for the Reichsratsgebäude uses the neo-Greek style, which was popular during the 19th century Classic revival.
Hansen worked at that time in Athens and was recruited by the Greek-Austrian magnate Nikolaus Dumba, who was on the committee for constructing a new parliament building.

Hansen was inspired by the design of the Zappeion hall in Athens.
The original plans saw separate buildings for the House of Representatives and the House of Lords, but for practical and financial reasons it was later decided to house both chambers in one building.
Von Hansen's concept of the layout reflected the structure of the Imperial Council (Reichsrat), as was stipulated by the so-called February Patent of 1861, which laid down the constitutional structure for the empire.
The two chambers were connected by the great hypostyle hall, which was the central structure.
The hall was supposed to be the meeting point between the commoners and the lords, reflecting the structure of society at the time.

The gable has not changed since the monarchy and is decorated with symbols and allegories of the 17 provinces (Kronländer) of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The ramp is about four meters high.
The pillars are in the Corinthian style.
On both ends of the roof are quadrigas.
The building used to be surrounded by small patches of lawns, which have since been transformed into parking spaces.
The building is up to four stories high.

The architect's original plan was to have the entire exterior in polychrome, like in ancient Greece.
For this purpose he created a show-piece on the southern side of the building, with gilded capitals and red and gilded friezes.
The plan was not implemented due to budgetary constraints.
Baron von Hansen's design for the Reichsratsgebäude uses the neo-Greek style, which was popular during the 19th century Classic revival. Hansen worked at that time in Athens and was recruited by the Greek-Austrian magnate Nikolaus Dumba, who was on the committee for constructing a new parliament building.
Hansen was inspired by the design of the Zappeion hall in Athens. The original plans saw separate buildings for the House of Representatives and the House of Lords, but for practical and financial reasons it was later decided to house both chambers in one building. Von Hansen's concept of the layout reflected the structure of the Imperial Council (Reichsrat), as was stipulated by the so-called February Patent of 1861, which laid down the constitutional structure for the empire. The two chambers were connected by the great hypostyle hall, which was the central structure. The hall was supposed to be the meeting point between the commoners and the lords, reflecting the structure of society at the time.
The gable has not changed since the monarchy and is decorated with symbols and allegories of the 17 provinces (Kronländer) of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. The ramp is about four meters high. The pillars are in the Corinthian style. On both ends of the roof are quadrigas. The building used to be surrounded by small patches of lawns, which have since been transformed into parking spaces. The building is up to four stories high.
The architect's original plan was to have the entire exterior in polychrome, like in ancient Greece. For this purpose he created a show-piece on the southern side of the building, with gilded capitals and red and gilded friezes. The plan was not implemented due to budgetary constraints.
Austrian Parliament Building