Pernerstorfer-Hof

Did Engelbert Pernerstorfer, the man who lent his name to this impressive building, ever imagine that his legacy would be etched into the very fabric of Vienna? Right before you stands the Pernerstorfer-Hof, a testament to the city’s social housing movement and a symbol of affordable living. But the Pernerstorfer-Hof is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where history whispers through the courtyards, and the spirit of Engelbert Pernerstorfer, a prominent social democrat, seems to linger. Built between 1924 and 1926, the Pernerstorfer-Hof was designed by two of Otto Wagner’s pupils, Camillo Fritz Discher and Paul Gütl, marking their first foray into municipal residential architecture. This symmetrical block structure with its unadorned façade might seem simple at first glance, but look closer. The subtle details, like the oriels adorning the recessed, gabled central section, whisper of a dedication to both practicality and aesthetic appeal. In 1953, Heribert Potuznik, a renowned artist, adorned the Pernerstorfer-Hof with a striking sgraffito titled “Ziegelarbeiter” (bricklayer). This artwork serves as a poignant tribute to the brick factories that once dotted the Wienerberg area and the predominantly Czech bricklayers who called this district their home. Their hard work and dedication live on in the very walls of the Pernerstorfer-Hof. Venture into the courtyard, and you’ll find another treasure: a sculpture titled “Zuflucht” (refuge). Created by Josef Josephu, it depicts a mother with children, their forms radiating a sense of security and hope – a fitting embodiment of the social ideals that fueled the creation of the Pernerstorfer-Hof. Even today, the Pernerstorfer-Hof stands as a beacon of social progress, a testament to the belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live.