Steiner House

Adolf Loos designed the Steiner House in Vienna in 1910, early in his career. The building stands as a key example of rationalist architecture. Loos used geometric volumes and modular fenestration to organise both the exterior and interior. The façade follows a classical tripartite division with a recessed centre. Terraces and living spaces connect directly to the garden outside. The house separates public and private areas clearly. The living room sits just above ground level while bedrooms and the painting studio occupy the first floor. Service spaces like the kitchen and storage sit in the basement and attic. Loos avoided ornamentation, using plain stucco to cover rough brickwork. The smooth white surface reveals the building’s materials without hinting at what lies inside. From the street the Steiner House appears as a single storey with a rounded roof. The curved roof hides two additional floors facing the garden. Loos chose this form to save space and maintain functional simplicity. The design shows how tradition could be reshaped for practical purposes. Inside, the rooms follow the same rational organisation, creating a refined yet unobtrusive interior.