Austria - Austrian Werkbund

Das Plakat zur Werkbundsiedlung Ausstellung in Wien 1932.
© Christies East (New York), Important Design, 27. November 99'

The aim of the Werkbund movement was to link infrastructure and experience. In Austria this tradition reached back to the 19th century. (Museum für Kunst und Industrie ("Museum of Art and Industry"), Vienna School of Arts and Crafts). Unlike the German Werkbund, which grew from a small circle of artists and patrons, the Austrian Werkbund had 178 founder members.

Vienna, with its artists' movements and workshops (Wiener Werkstätte ("Viennese Workshops")) was considered to be a city for which aesthetics had been of prime importance since the turn of the century.

The contrast between modern and traditional styles became unified in an Austrian style that found international recognition.