Sanatorium Purkersdorf (1905/06)
The Sanatorium Purkersdorf was built between 1904 and 1905 in the middle of the Vienna Woods, on the city boundary of Vienna. The building and its interior decoration document stylistically the zenith of the purism propagated by Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann: emphasis on the constructive element as well as simplification and restriction to a few basic cubist forms.

During its construction, the sanatorium was regarded as being a mixture between a modern hotel and a contemporary clinic. The decoration of the rooms - "a glossy or tiled washable white world" - was in line with the latest medical technology. The library, dining rooms, lounges, games rooms and writing rooms were furnished elegantly from designs by Moser and Hoffmann.

A contemporary critic noted,"It is really a pity that you have to be a little unsound of mind in order to be blessed with a wonderful white cubicle in Purkersdorf".



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Dining room of the
sanatorium
© Collection
Heimatmuseum Purkersdorf



Bentwood chair from the dining room, by J. & J. Kohn.
© Christie's, "Masterworks: 1900-2000", New York, 8th June 2000