Looshaus: A Pioneer of Viennese Modernism

The Looshaus, also known as the Goldman & Salatsch Building, is a commercial and residential building located at Michaelerplatz 3 in Vienna. Designed by Adolf Loos, it was completed in 1912 and is considered a major landmark of Viennese Modernism. The building's history is intertwined with the architectural debates of the early 20th century, as its radical departure from ornamentation sparked controversy among Viennese citizens. Commissioned by Leopold Goldmann and Emanuel Aufricht, owners of a men's outfitting business, the Looshaus was intended to be a modern commercial space. Adolf Loos, a vocal critic of ornamentation in architecture, designed a building that emphasized functionality and the integrity of materials. The facade's lack of decoration, a stark contrast to the elaborate historicist buildings nearby, led to the building being nicknamed "the house without eyebrows". Legend says that Emperor Franz Joseph, whose Hofburg Palace faces the Looshaus, detested the building so much that he ordered the windows facing it to be shuttered. The Looshaus features a reinforced concrete skeleton, allowing for large interior spaces and flexible layouts. The lower section of the facade is clad in green Cipollino marble, while the upper stories are simple plaster. Tuscan columns at street level allude to the portico of St. Michael's Church, creating a connection to the historical surroundings. The interior was designed with mahogany, marble, and brass finishes. The building has undergone several renovations, including a restoration in the late 20th century that aimed to return the commercial levels to their original appearance. Today, the Looshaus remains a significant architectural landmark, representing a pivotal moment in the transition to modern architecture in Vienna.