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Foto: Hertha Hurnaus Foto: Hertha Hurnaus

Dem Original nachempfundener Gummi-Bodenbelag • Rubber flooring reproduced in accordance with the original Die Straßenfassade verkörpert die von Frank propagierte Moderne. • The street façade embodies the Modernism.

Foto: Stefan Huger Foto: Hertha Hurnaus

Gästezimmer im Dachgeschoss mit Textilien von Svenskt Tenn • Guest room in the attic with textiles by Svenskt Tenn Terrassen und Balkone vernetzen die Villa mit dem Garten. • Terraces and balconies link the villa to the garden.

work of Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach, an icon of architectural history occupying a key Basement, attic, terraces and balconies extend the residential concept outdoors, creating
position within Austrian Modernism. Unlike international counterparts such as the Villa spaces for movement, retreat and socialising. Frank’s vision of modern architecture aimed
Savoye in Poissy (1928–31) by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret or the Villa Tugendhat at an organic, life-oriented house that liberated living from rigid rules, opened space for
in Brno (1928–30) by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – both listed as historic monuments as spontaneity and dissolved the boundaries between architecture, interior and urban con-
early as the 1960s – it did not receive protected status until 1987. After years of intensive text – an approach that continues to strongly shape modern dwelling today. Opening the
research and renovation – led by Lothar Trierenberg, proprietor and managing director of house to visitors now enables a renewed encounter with Josef Frank’s work. In addition
the Villa Beer Foundation, together with architect Christian Prasser of cp Architektur – one to the architecture, Frank and Wlach designed the interior fittings of Villa Beer, including
of the most important residences of Viennese Modernism can now once again be experi- furniture and textiles. These designs were produced at the time by their joint company
enced in its original quality. The aim of the renovation was to safeguard the house from Haus & Garten. Over the decades, the built-in furniture remained in place, though much
decay and secure it for the long term, to restore its unique character and at the same time of the original movable furnishing was lost. Built-in elements were restored with great care
adapt it to its intended new use. Although the villa had undergone several alterations and missing components supplemented. Floors, fireplaces, concertina grilles, the dumb-
over the course of its history, it had long lacked a fundamental refurbishment. waiter and radiators were repaired and, where necessary, reconstructed with a high level
of craftsmanship and historical accuracy, based on detailed knowledge of the original
Inner freedom: The original spatial structure was preserved execution. A reconstruction of lost furniture and additional retrospective furnishing was
deliberately avoided. Instead, voids were retained in order to create space for engagement
As a decisive first step, the building was placed on a new, stable foundation and the with the history of the house and its inhabitants. “The house is to be filled with life in
basement comprehensively renovated. In the course of the current works, the areas from the future and carry the ideas of Modernism, as understood by Josef Frank, into the pre-
the ground floor to the first floor have been reinstated in their original spatial sequen- sent,” says Lothar Trierenberg. Guided tours are offered for private groups, students and
ce. Subsequently inserted windows were closed and additional partition walls removed. architects; at weekends the house can be visited for limited periods without a tour. Guests
The open flow of space, the light-flooded interiors and the exceptional materiality once may enjoy the house almost as if they were residents – taking a seat in an armchair and
again define the house as originally conceived. The historic spatial structure has been browsing a book from the library. For guests wishing to experience Villa Beer in its origi-
preserved, yet adapted to accommodate the infrastructure required for future museum nal function as a residence, a new living area has been created in the attic, comprising
operations. Today, the area houses a visitors’ foyer with a small shop, as well as rooms for a kitchen, bathroom and three guest rooms. The rooms are furnished with textiles and
education and administration, cloakrooms, sanitary facilities and plant rooms. Externally, furniture based on designs by Josef Frank, still produced today by the long-established
this ‘inner freedom’ continues in an asymmetrical, differentiated façade composition. Swedish manufacturer Svenskt Tenn. Bookings and information: events@villabeer.wien

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