ADOLPH LOOS. STEINER HOUSE.

Adolph Loos.  Steiner House. Vienna.

I recently gained a new interest in Adolph Loos.  This is principally because of a recent article that I read about his work.  This house was designed for an artist and her husband.  It was an early work in the career of Loos.  Built in 1910, it became a prime example of rationalist architecture.  The three images below are examples of what is freely available via Google Images.  In fact, there are hundreds of images that you can view.  There are typically plans, elevations, models, etc.

When architects and designers look at these images, we can sense the basic volumetric composition of the form.  We note zero ornamentation.  The white stucco forms both reflect and create shadows.  The more closely we look at the images, we note interesting features such as the rear terrace, the front second story window for Mrs. Steiner’s painting studio, and of course the half barrel arched roof.

I put these features together into the single drawing above.  With this transparent study, I was able to understand the complete and holistic assembly of the volume.  I was able to incorporate the general slope of the site from the front to the back.  I believe that this transparent drawing is far more engaging and educational compared with a drawing that you can’t see thru.  By having drawn the complete form, I have a far better understanding of that form.  Note that my drawing deals solely with the exterior volume.  Note also that shadows can be incorporated into transparent drawings.  I will show in later posts that both the interior and the exterior can and should be studied together.