The settlement „Wiener Werkbundsiedlung“ has been built from 1930 to 1932 and is amongst the most important testimonies of the so called “Moderne” (“modern art movement”) in Austria. The architect Josef Franc was its initiator, art director and he was also one of the most important representatives of the “Second Vienna Moderne” between the two world wars.
The settlement, built by the Austrian association “Österreichischer Werkbund” encompasses 70 single family houses in the green outskirts of the city. They have been designed by 32 architects amongst which the famous and at that time rare women architects, Margarethe Schütte-Lihotzky. The single family houses that are partly linked with neighbouring houses have the vocation to represent the variety of different types of houses and to be eventual model for future settlements.
The houses were presented to a larger public during the international exhibition „ Internationale Werkbundausstellung Wien “ from 5th of June to 7th of August 1932 and were visited by more than 100.000 Viennese. The „Wiener Werkbundsiedlung“ can be considered as a precursor of the IBA_Vienna.
Promotion through the "European Cultural Seal“
The European network "Netzwerk europäischer Werkbundsiedlungen" had its meeting on 2nd and 3rd May 2017 in Vienna. Present were representatives from the cities of Brno, Prague (CZ), Wroc?aw (PL) and Stuttgart (GER). The meeting aimed at preparing the candidature of the "Europäische Werkbundsiedlungen 1927-1932") for the next call for the European Heritage Label (EHL) 2018/19.
The Label distinguishes cities that represent the European idea in an outstanding way. The “new housing and living” is at the center of these “Werkbund” settlements, where „light, air and sun“ are in the foreground. First the idea of providing good housing conditions to wide segments of the population and second the huge political efforts made in order to realize this shall be presented on the example of the crafts settlements as an outstanding accomplishment for Europe and made visible.
An on-site visit of the “Wiener Werkbundsiedlung” that is by now largely refurbished, was provided to the participants at the end of the two day meeting. A special highlight was that one of the terraced houses owned by Gerrit Rietveld had been opened to the visitors.
All interested can download the mobile app here in order to make a virtual tour through Vienna’s Werkbundsiedlung.