Adolf Loos

Adolf Loos is the new, updated monograph documenting the entire creative activity of one of the leading masters of Modern European architecture.

Adolf Loos (1870-1933) was an early-20th century Viennese architect renowned for his radical facades and insightful writings. In this volume, Ralf Bock reveals for the first time the sensuality of Loos' interior designs. This portrayal demonstrates that Loos was not an architect of the "white modern movement" but rather opposed it, as he viewed the purist approach as contrasting with his own vision.

Loos believed in culture, comfort, intimacy, and privacy. He advocated for the evolution of tradition and utility rather than revolution and the constant invention of formal design. This book offers a careful analysis of Loos's ideology and oeuvre.

The volume features 30 existing projects through 160 extraordinary full-colour images by the celebrated French photographer Philippe Ruault, who has completely re-photographed the existing works of the Viennese master. These new images offer different impressions and interpretations of Loos' interior works, bringing him back to the centre of contemporary architectural debate. The colour photographs are complemented by archival photos from the Loos archive of the Albertina, Vienna.

Unique aspects of the book include profiles of Loos' clients and their relationship with the architect, interviews with people who inhabit Loos' work today, and a completely new set of project drawings, along with the original interior design and analyses.