Loos, Adolf#

b. Brno, Czech Republic (then Bruenn), Dec. 10, 1870, d. Vienna, Aug. 23, 1933, architect and critic. Studied in Dresden, Germany, from 1893 to 1896 he stayed in the USA, then moved to Vienna, greatly influenced by O. Wagner's theories. In his articles around the turn of the century he took a stand against the Jugendstil style and the Wiener Werkstaette ("Ornament und Verbrechen", 1908). His building on Michaelerplatz squqre gave rise to fierce controversy in 1909-1911; at the same time he designed residences, based on which L. developed his concept of the "Raumplan" (distribution of rooms over the floor plan of a house, depending in their size and volume on the purpose they serve in the house). The outward appearance of the residences he designed developed more and more into a clear cubic form (House Mueller, Prague 1928-1930). Nevertheless his most famous project is a skyscraper in the form of a doric column (Architectural contest for the "Chicago Tribune" office building in 1922). From 1924 to 1928 lived in Paris and joined the Paris Avant-garde (House for T. Tzara, Paris 1925-1926). His designs and writings had a great influence on the development of 20th century architecture. Since 1992 a panel of judges has awarded the A. L. Prize of Architecture, donated by the Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederoesterreich-Vienna.

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