Studio: international art (30.1904)

A Vienna Workmen s Home

large window, a closet with a window, entry, kit- to the order of others. Thus, by a little co-opera-

chen and larder, and water laid on. A bathroom tion the work might be well and cheaply done. It

for each set of rooms is fitted in the attics. What cannot now be said that the workman's home is an

is most novel in these little " flats " is the arrange- unsolved problem, and it would be easy to provide

ment of the windows, the single large window of suitable furniture, a crowning effort much to be

the bedrooms being built out as a bay. This, desired. I mention it here merely as a suggestion,

alternating with plain windows, is the architectural with no hint of blame, for within the home the

feature of the facade, and suggests from the outside individual is supreme for good or evil; but the

the arrangement of the interior; thus there is an result, if achieved, should be excellent,
expression of truth in it far superior to any super- The corporate will which organised the whole,

ficial decoration giving an ordinary tenement-house asserts itself very rightfully in the public rooms at

the appearance of a mansion. We cannot but the back. Here the individual is merged in the

regret, however, that the architect and builder did community, the thousand-headed crowd dwelling

not go a step further, and preserve the unity of under one roof; and "bigness" is meet and fitting,

effect in these large and airy dwelling-rooms by Here, in the middle hall, smaller rooms can be

designing suitable furniture and fittings, on a pat- shut off by movable divisions for the different clubs

tern which some workmen's families might produce and associations. These partitions are easily re-
moved when common interests are
under discussion, and we then have
_. ~arn*n a large hall in which all the in-

habitants have equal rights; and

ii m i k» j;

ITLRHLI

Hfi^HlRMiMiii^a» the practical purpose effected by

these movable divisions is almost
symbolically significant. 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 flight of stairs,
three metres and a-half wide; and
this, in November, 1902, during
the election, was the scene of a
tragical conflict. The new building
already has a history. This room,
which is surrounded by a gallery,
will hold about 3,000 persons.
Concerts are given 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 aesthetic
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-

entrance gate to the vienna workmen's home POTt h> ^ the Ventilators in the roof.

hubert gessner, architect The hall opens on to a large garden.

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