DOI issue:
No. 90 (August, 1904)
DOI article:Levetus, A. S.: Professor Hoffmann's artist colony, Vienna
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26962#0168
The Vienna Artist's Colony
the city to be quite undisturbed by its incessant
whirl and turmoil, and yet near enough for a com-
fortable walk. The country is idyllic, and the
Professor has chosen the site well, while his
architecture too is entirely suited to it. But
that is a matter of course, for suitability is the
keynote of the architect’s ideas.
As seen from below—for these villas stand on
raised ground — the view is singularly good, and
the impression is that they are well in place, for
they command the attention of the passers-by.
Each has its own individuality, and offers the
observer some new subject for thought. Nor does
this individuality consist alone in certain abstract
qualities of one or other house, but also in an
entirety, for a peculiar harmony pervades all.
Except for the colouring on the rough mortar-
stuccoed walls, there is no attempt at decoration,
the architect having concentrated his whole
strength to achieve pure architectural dignity.
Much of this has been gained by the arrangement
of the windows, and by their peculiar beauty and
variety of form. Nor is this a mere outward gain,
for the interior light effects and decorative results are
extremely good. In all these villas the usual front
entrance, with windows on either side, has been
studiously avoided, thus winning space and an
unbroken frontage. The villas are separated from
one another by gardens, and have nothing in
common with the semi-detached ones so frequent
in England.
Having planned such harmonious and dignified
exteriors, it is only natural that Professor Hoffmann
should be equally exact in the internal arrange-
ments. Here, too, each villa has its own individu-
ality. The basements—which are ground floors,
and in no sense areas—are devoted to the kitchens
and servants’ offices, and they are so well ordered
that no fumes from the cooking can possibly reach
the other part of the house. The usual flight
of stairs has been avoided in each villa — an
immense relief—and one merely comes across
HALL IN DR. HENNEBERG’s HOUSE PROFESSOR HOFFMANN, ARCHITECT
FURNITURE BY J. W. MULLER
126
the city to be quite undisturbed by its incessant
whirl and turmoil, and yet near enough for a com-
fortable walk. The country is idyllic, and the
Professor has chosen the site well, while his
architecture too is entirely suited to it. But
that is a matter of course, for suitability is the
keynote of the architect’s ideas.
As seen from below—for these villas stand on
raised ground — the view is singularly good, and
the impression is that they are well in place, for
they command the attention of the passers-by.
Each has its own individuality, and offers the
observer some new subject for thought. Nor does
this individuality consist alone in certain abstract
qualities of one or other house, but also in an
entirety, for a peculiar harmony pervades all.
Except for the colouring on the rough mortar-
stuccoed walls, there is no attempt at decoration,
the architect having concentrated his whole
strength to achieve pure architectural dignity.
Much of this has been gained by the arrangement
of the windows, and by their peculiar beauty and
variety of form. Nor is this a mere outward gain,
for the interior light effects and decorative results are
extremely good. In all these villas the usual front
entrance, with windows on either side, has been
studiously avoided, thus winning space and an
unbroken frontage. The villas are separated from
one another by gardens, and have nothing in
common with the semi-detached ones so frequent
in England.
Having planned such harmonious and dignified
exteriors, it is only natural that Professor Hoffmann
should be equally exact in the internal arrange-
ments. Here, too, each villa has its own individu-
ality. The basements—which are ground floors,
and in no sense areas—are devoted to the kitchens
and servants’ offices, and they are so well ordered
that no fumes from the cooking can possibly reach
the other part of the house. The usual flight
of stairs has been avoided in each villa — an
immense relief—and one merely comes across
HALL IN DR. HENNEBERG’s HOUSE PROFESSOR HOFFMANN, ARCHITECT
FURNITURE BY J. W. MULLER
126