Viennese Council tenement blocks
The 1920s and 1930s saw the development of an exciting new type of
architectural movement:
Art Deco. In many cities around the world this movement competed against
traditional
conservative architecture. Above all in the United States, masters like
Raymond Loewy
created buildings that still radiate elegance and dynamism today.
Other tasks were being tackled in Vienna at this time. Following the
collapse of the
monarchy, electoral reform and the weakening of the bourgeoisie, social
democracy
became the leading influence in the city. The comprehensive socialist
outlook on life
regarded the city as an entity created by the proletariat, inclusive of
all its
tenement blocks, schools, public baths, sanatoria and of course the
transport system
as a network that held everything together. The pressing housing problem
presented
the social democratic municipal council with the opportunity to realise
their plan
of building cheap living accommodation for the working classes at the
expense of the
rich. In a short period of time a large number of "Gemeindebauten" -
council tenement
blocks shot up, financed by council property taxes.
Further background information and details about urban life during this
period are
available on the Vienna City Council website at www.wien.gv.at.
Nearly all of these blocks of flats are still maintained to this day, and
many of
them have been carefully renovated in the last few years and essential
structures
such as lifts have been carefully built into the original dwellings.
Pictures and plans of the most interesting buildings from the "Red Vienna"
period
are presented on this page. By clicking on the titles, corresponding
pictures will
appear on the left hand side of the page, and clicking on these will bring
up larger
versions in a new browser window.
The Karl Marx-Hof
The Karl-Marx-Hof is the most impressive residential building complex of
the "Red
Vienna" period. Its elongated construction is a municipal icon and a
trademark of
70 years of social democracy. The 1325 flats are arranged around large
courtyards.
Moreso than in other such tenement blocks poor use of space was rejected
in favour
of over excessive "Propaganda Architecture"
The Rabenhof
This closed-plan complex sticks out due to its very interesting spatial
progression. A sweeping curved street runs straight through the complex,
and grandiose entrances fill the service roads and alleys. It is typical
of the basic socialist attitude of having many municipal services such
as crêches, libraries, health insurance office and of course an SPÖ-Party
office.
The Liebknechthof
This building, built on a triangular plot of land, is an example of how
uninspiring building projects were brilliantly realised. The differences
in
elevation within the plot were overcome by imaginative use of courtyards.
The Sandleitenhof
The Sandleiten housing block is the biggest of the complexes built between
the wars, with almost 1600 flats. The houses are artistically arranged and
dispersed on the sloping plot. Particular attention was paid to harmonious
blending in with the existing and future structure of the city. Exciting
walks,
romantic corners and diversity of materials used in construction give the
impression of this being a well established settlement.
The Proletariat's Ring:
The Margaretengürtel's large buildings
Along the distinctive curve from the Südgürtel to the Westgürtel, a row of
Gemeindebauten shot up, which give a strong impression of the
characteristics
of the town-planning. This is the noticeable intersection between
suburban/rural
architecture, and densely built-up way of urban architecture.
In its entirety, it is a microcosm of the diverse types of residential
architecture; service routes alternate with superstructures, and the
gently
sloping landscape is rendered into wonderful terraced-gardens in the
different
inner-courtyards. Beautiful craftsmanship is most evident in the
Reumannhof, where
simple materials like strip steel are crafted into sleek yet beautiful
lamps,
railings and appliqués.
All photographs © Viennaslide
This webpage is part of the Viennaslide photograph archive. All pictures
remain under copyright and may not be reproduced without prior consent.
Other tasks were being tackled in Vienna at this time. Following the
collapse of the
monarchy, electoral reform and the weakening of the bourgeoisie, social
democracy
became the leading influence in the city. The comprehensive socialist
outlook on life
regarded the city as an entity created by the proletariat, inclusive of
all its
tenement blocks, schools, public baths, sanatoria and of course the
transport system
as a network that held everything together. The pressing housing problem
presented
the social democratic municipal council with the opportunity to realise
their plan
of building cheap living accommodation for the working classes at the
expense of the
rich. In a short period of time a large number of "Gemeindebauten" -
council tenement
blocks shot up, financed by council property taxes.
