Adolf Loos - Major works, "Ornament and Crime"

Architect and writer on design, born in Brno, S Czech Republic. After studying architecture in Dresden, and visiting America (1893–6), he settled in Vienna in 1896. One of the major architects of the ‘Modern Movement’, he is particularly remembered for articulating the view that ornament is decadent; his essay Ornament and Crime (1908) attacks both revivalist and more recent Art Nouveau ornament. His designs reflect this view, notably the Villa Karma, Clarens, Switzerland (1904–6).

Adolf Loos (December 10, 1870 in Brno, Moravia–August 8, 1933 in Vienna, Austria) was an early-20th century Viennese modernist architect who is associated with the International Style.

Major works

Steiner House, Vienna, Austria, 1910 Looshaus, Vienna, Austria, 1911 Rufer House, Vienna, Austria, 1922 A house and studio for Dadaist Tristan Tzara in the Montmartre section of Paris, France, 1926 Khuner Villa, Kreuzberg, Austria, 1930 Villa Müller, Prague, Czech Republic, 1930

"Ornament and Crime"

In addition to his built projects, Loos is noted for his essay/manifesto "Ornament and Crime" written in 1908. if a tattooed man dies out of prison, Loos reasoned, it is only because he did not live long enough to commit his inevitable murder.

This essay is a repudiation of the work of the Vienna Secession, the Austrian version of Art Nouveau. Ironically, in the years between 1893 and 1896, Loos lived and worked in United States, at one point holding a position in the office of Louis Sullivan (according to Robert Hughes's Shock of the New).

Loos was also interested in the decorative arts, collecting sterling silver and high quality leather goods, which he noted for their plain yet luxurious appeal.

Loos is also known for his notorious entry to the 1922 Chicago Tribune competition, which took the form of a single colossal Doric column.