Adolf Loos

Adolf Franz Karl Viktor Maria Loos (1870-1933) was an Austrian and Czech architect and influential European theorist of Modern Architecture. He was born in Brno, Moravia, now part of the Czech Republic. He studied at Technische Universität Dresden (Dresden University of Technology), but left one year later without completing his study. From 23 to 26, Loos lived in the United States after, which he moved to Vienna, Austria and made it his permanent residence. Inspired by his years in the New World he devoted himself to architecture. After briefly associating himself with the Vienna Secession, he rejected the style and advocated a new, plain, unadorned architecture. His opposition to ornament extended to anything that could not be justified for its rational function.

Loos became a pioneer of modern architecture and contributed a body of theory and criticism of Modernism in architecture and design. As a result, his buildings were often composed of pure forms and were noted by their economic practicality and utilitarian qualities. Some of his best-known structures are the Goldman & Salatsch building and the Steiner House in Vienna, the home of Dada artist Tristan Tzara in Paris, France and the Villa Müller in Prague, Czech Republic. Loos was also interested in the decorative arts, collecting sterling silver and high-quality leather goods. He designed lighting for WOKA, furniture for Thonet and crystal for J. L. Lobmeyr.