Masterpieces of the Art Nouveau
January 5, 1904
Many train stations are masterpieces of art nouveau. For example the station at Karlsplatz. In 1892 Otto Wagner entered a competition to construct the city’s rail system. After he won the competition, he constructed the city rail network with over 30 stations, tracks, bridges, and tunnels with the help of his workers from 1894-1901. Wagner did not only put value on technical skill but also on beauty. Between the iron beams are white marble plates. Wagner got a lot of inspiration from the Renaissance period.
The Unexpected Death of Joseph Maria
Olbrich
August 11, 1908
On August 8, architect Joseph Maria Olbrichs died in
Duesseldorf. He was 41. In 1897, the new “Secession” contracted him to erect their
exhibition place at Karlsplatz. The Secession building was built in a year
with a design of simple geometric shapes. The entranceway and dome with gold plated
leaves are particularly beautiful. The critics like to jokingly call the
dome “golden cabbage head”. The inside is perfect for exhibits, because it
has no partition walls. Until 1899 Joseph Maria Olbrich worked in the
studio of Otto Wagner. He helped him design the city train constructions. He
spent his last year of life in the city of Darmstadt.
April 10, 1902
There is a such thing as a Café
Museum? Those making fun, call the Café Museum, "Café Nihilsmus", It was erected in 1899 by Adolf Loos. The meager furnishings for this establishment are revolutionary for the time. The architect has completely omitted anything that does not serve the purpose of the Café. The front is flat and devoid of decorations, the tables stand in open rooms, to promote communication. Adolf Loos even designed the armchairs himself. The people of Vienna love the Café Museum, so much that in the past few years that it has developed as a meeting place for intellectuals.
A Tomb or a Church?
October 10, 1890
The recently finished church at Steinhof, (architect is Otto Wagner.)
looks like an Indian tomb. "We Christians demand a church that also looks
like a church," stated one critic.
The inner-room is crowned with a dome. Otto Wagner wanted to construct the entire mental hospital of Steinhof but was only contracted to do the church. He wanted to make sure all visitors have a good view and so he didn’t put any long hallways into the design, but rather a central building. He specifically catered to the needs of the mentally ill. The church has narrow spaces between benches and easy-to-clean floors. The holy water basins are also a special design.
Otto Wagner was born in Vienna on July 13, 1841. Since the 70’s he has constructed many Viennese apartment and official buildings.
He is interested in city planning and civil engineering. In the 90’s he sketched the plans for the buildings that would be above ground at Vienna’s Metropolitan Railway. Only within the past year he has completed the most beautiful Postal Savings Bank Office in the world.