International studio (21.1903/1904(1904))

large window, a closet with a window, entry, kit-
chen and larder, and water laid on. A bathroom
for each set of rooms is Rtted in the attics. What
is most novel in these littie " Rats " is the arrange-
ment of the Windows, the single !arge window of
the bedrooms being buiit out as a bay. This,
aüternating with piain Windows, is the architectural
feature of the fa^ade, and suggests from the outside
the arrangement of the interior; thus there is an
expression of truth in it far superior to any super-
ficial decoration giving an ordinary tenement-house
the appearance of a mansion. We cannot but
regret, however, that the architect and buiider did
not go a Step further, and preserve the unity of
effect in these iarge and airy dweliing-rooms by
designing suitable furniture and Rttings, on a pat-
tem which some workmen's families might produce

ENTRANCE GATE TO THE VIENNA WORKMEN S HOME
HUBERT GESSNER, ARCHITECT

to the order of athers. Thus, by a iittie co-opera-
tion the work might be weil and cheaply done. It
cannot now be said that the workman's home is an
unsolved problem, and it wouid be easy to provide
suitable furniture, a crowning effort much to be
desired. I mention it here mereiy as a Suggestion,
with no hint of Marne, for within the home the
individual is supreme for good or evil; but the
result, if achieved, should be excellent.
The corporate will which organised the whole,
asserts itself very rightfully in the public rooms at
the back. Here the individual is merged in the
community, the thousand-headed crowd dwelling
underone roof; and "bigness" is meet and Utting.
Here, in the middle hall, smaller rooms can be
shut off by movable divisions for the different clubs
and associations. These partitions are easily re-
moved when common interests are
under discussion, and we then have
a large hall in which all the in-
habitants have equal rights; and
the practical purpose effected by
these movable divisions is almost
symbolically signißcant. Over this
hall is the large room for social
meetings. Like any other part of
the building, it is accessible from
the vestibule by a Right of stairs,
three metres and a-half wide; and
this, in November, 1902, during
the election, was the scene of a
tragical conHict. The new building
already has a history. This room,
which is surrounded by a gallery,
will hold about 3,000 persons.
Concerts are glven here, political
meetings are held, and plays per-
formed, for which there is a
stage and proscenium.
The young architect has done
his utmost to adapt his principles
to practical ends, and to use the
constructive elements in such a
way as to contribute to assthetic
requirements. This is particularly
evident in the ceiling of his great
hall, which is constructed of iron
beams and concrete ' the beams are
left visible and painted red, forming
a very decorative feature ; not less
so are the iron balustrades of the
gallery, the iron brackets that Sup-
port it, and the Ventilators in the roof.
The hall opens on to a large garden.

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