Adolf Loos

Adolf Loos (1870-1933) was a flamboyant character whose presence in the cultural hotbed of early 1900s Vienna galvanized the country-s architectural landscape. An early, impassioned advocate of modernism, he all-out rejected the grand Secessionist aesthetic prevalent at the time, as well as any hallmarks of the European fin de si-e.Instead, in lectures and essays, such as the milestone Ornament and Crime of 1908, Loos articulated his -passion for smooth and precious surfaces.- He advocated that architectural ornamentation was, by its nature, ephemeral-locked into current trends and styles, and therefore quickly dated. Loos, himself a Classicist at heart, argued instead for simple, timeless designs with time-honored aesthetic and structural qualities.In this essential introduction, we explore Loos-s writings, projects, and legacy, from his key concept of -spatial plan- architecture to his rejection of decorative fripperies in favor of opulent, fine-quality materials and crisp lines.