Lexicon of Viennese Architects (1880-1945)

Research in the field of 19th and early 20th Century architecture continues to be hampered by the extreme scarcity of reliable background information. Some individual architects have monographs dedicated to their work, but interest at the time was primarily restricted to the best known artistic personalities of the early modernist period, i.e. a limited number of exceptional architects from the Ring Road era. If one is searching for information an one of the less prominent architects of the time, the only real source is the lexicon of artists "Allg. Lexicon der Bild. Künstler" published in 37 volumes by Thieme-Becker in 1907. Thankful as we are for this piece of work, due to the quality of the available information at the time the lexicon has severe shortcomings in some of the entries and in the publication as a whole, which simply resounds in inaccuracies. Despite this, the work is still used as a primary source of reference in a broad range of contexts, which means that the existing inaccuracies and imprecisions are still being reproduced today. The Same applies to the information an the early-modernist architects presented by M. Pozzetto in his volume Die Schule O. Wagners. The aim of the project presented here is twofold: to eradicate the inaccuracies and, more significantly, to make information accessible an all those architects whose work has been largely neglected to date. The period to be covered is 1880-45. A total of 700 entries are to be expected in this lexicon of architects. All those architects are to be covered who completed several projects in Vienna or at least one public monumental building, but also the architects who were influential in other ways, for instance as teachers or theoreticians. Alongside each architect`s personal details, education details, including the sphere of influence of their work and their field of specialisation, the entries are to include brief outlines of their individual stylistic approach to design. Basic architectural theses that were deeisive to the work of the architect concerned are also to be provided, or theories which were supported in specialist circles at the time, as well as a summary of the most significant projects, both realised and unrealised. The publication is to be supplemented by an extensive bibliography containing both the pertinent source material as well as selected secondary material. The results of the research undertaken are to be made accessible in a regularly updated online database before final publication in printed form.

The first encyclopaedia of architects working in Vienna in the years 1880-1945, covering a key period in the history of the city`s architecture, is ready. The entries provide a comprehensive critical approach to the biographical, aesthetic, theoretical and historical details of architects` lives, as well as the significance of a given development for the urban fabric. The encyclopaedia`s entries include key biographical dates, an index of works, biographical details etc., as well as a comprehensive survey of each architect`s career and a critical analysis of the stylistic features of their work. The encyclopaedia of architects sets a new standard by incorporating: Information on architects whose biographical details have remained unpublished to date Comprehensive coverage for the first time of architects whose entries have had significant gaps in existing and contemporary reference books The correction of false ascriptions, and the clarification of widespread misconceptions The correction of incorrect dates etc. previously published in reference books and other publications The rectification of long-held misconceptions in attribution due to similarities in the spelling of names The clarification of authorship for about 800 objects, many of which are housing developments or private houses Research into additional new source material from estates in family possession and private archives The final versions of the entries to the encyclopaedia have been available online, free of charge, on the Az W website since May 2005 (www.azw.at or www.architektenlexikon.at). The website contains a complete index of all the architects included in the encyclopaedia. This index is linked to relevant archives, a comprehensive bibliography (including secondary literature, an anthology of images, reference works, journals and magazines), as well as to information on the history of educational facilities in Vienna. When the project has been completed, a total of 700 architects` details will have been published online. The extensive background work on archives and source material, and the intensive review of existing findings for the encyclopaedia of architects was carried out by architecture theorists as well as historians, culture historians and architects, and other experts from allied disciplines, to provide a quantity of fundamental information for the first time and a reliable basis for research purposes. The clarity of the online encyclopaedia and its ease of accessibility are also suited to appeal to an interested public extending well beyond circles of architecture professionals and academics.