Adolf Loos

1870-1930
 Austrian architect and theorist
Studied architecture and was self employed as architect
Lived in US and shifted to Vienna
Published many esssays
ornament does not increase the pleasures of life.
Loos never argued for the complete absence of
ornamentation, but believed that it had to be appropriate
to the type of material
Loos concluded that "No ornament can any longer be made
today by anyone who lives on our cultural level ... Freedom
from ornament is a sign of spiritual strength"
major characteristics of his work - basis in the square and
the cube
Characters of his works

use of rich materials chosen for their

appropriateness,
exceptional craftsmanship,
frequent use of marble in the structure of a building,
contrasting colours, wooden parquet flooring
chain suspended lighting
stepped floor levels,
geometrical design based upon the grid and the cube
with cylindrical and rectangular columns,
expressively austere facades with sumptuous
interiors.
raumplan
 Rufer House

Built for Joseph and Marie Rufer, (1922)

first built house to include Loos concept of
Raumplan, which is a floor plan made of split
levels to extend variety and order into the space.
Rufer House is organized within a tight 10 metre
x 10 metre space, in the shape of a cube with the
external walls forming the structural shell.
Inside, a column articulates the spaces under the
Raumplan and also conceals the plumbing.
 Rufer House

The house has four floors, plus a basement where the

janitors lodging and services are located.
living area - first floor ; upper floors - nighttime
zone.
The pivot of the composition is the single central
pillar that serves both a structural function and to
conduct the electrical, water and heating systems.
The structural scheme is in extremely simple, made
up of the load-bearing external walls and a single
pillar.
This has the advantage of reducing the internal
dividing walls to a minimum, and they are largely
replaced by thin wooden partitions or by pieces of
furniture.
Views of Rufer House
Plans and sections
 Villa Muller

Villa Muller (1930).

exterior - a white cube structure interrupted by yellow-
framed windows.
The interior - contrast to the simplicity of the faade.
luxurious materials to decorate the interior.
Slabs of green Greek marble encase some of the walls;
parts of the house are panelled with mahogany and
laquered wood, Delfttiles, silk prints, floral wallpaper and
travertine.
Each floor is a classic example of Loos Raumplan with
split-levels, short staircases and multiple landings.
The use of quadrilateral negative spaces along with grid
and square motifs echo Loos earlier works.
contrasting colours, especially terracotta and green
contribute to the houses aesthetic appeal.
Views of Villa Muller