The House of Music was awarded the Austrian Museum Prize for its innovative design and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. At one time the Palais was the residence of Otto Nicolai (1810 - 1849), who composed the opera "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and founded the Vienna Philharmonic concerts here. A total of 5000 square meters has been set aside exclusively for areas dedicated to a wide array of approaches to music, and most of all, the experience of music.