Looshaus

At Michaelerplatz in central Vienna, the Looshaus is an early modernist building by architect Adolf Loos. Its restrained, geometric facade and wave-patterned marble columns look markedly different from the ornate historic buildings around it. Completed in 1912, it caused public controversy for rejecting the decorative style then common in Vienna. Stop here to see how its clean lines change the look of the square. The building was originally designed for the fashion house Goldman & Salatsch and is now used for banking and administrative offices.

A modernist break with Vienna’s ornate style

Adolf Loos designed the building for the fashion business Goldman & Salatsch. Completed in 1912, it departed from the historicist and Art Nouveau styles that shaped much of Vienna’s architecture at the time.

The facade’s geometric lines and limited decoration drew strong public criticism. Its appearance was seen by some as an affront to the square’s established character. The controversy is part of the building’s history, as well as a reminder of how sharply Loos’s ideas differed from the decorative architecture around him.

Look closely at the facade

The Looshaus stands at Michaelerplatz, opposite a group of richly detailed historic buildings. Its wave-patterned marble columns and pared-back exterior create a clear visual contrast with its neighbors.

The building was made for Goldman & Salatsch as a flagship store. It now houses banking and administrative offices, so access to the interior for visitors is not certain. Ask whether you may look inside, or consider a guided tour for more insight into Loos’s design.