Sculpted in terracotta, a mother and child grace the entrance of the Severhof. They seem to watch over the comings and goings of the residents. This municipal housing complex, or Gemeindebau as it’s known in Vienna, stands as a testament to the city’s social housing initiatives of the 1930s. The Severhof, completed in 1931, was designed by architect Alexander Popp. It offers 86 apartments within its U-shaped embrace, a design that creates a welcoming courtyard. The Severhof’s architecture reflects the functional aesthetic of its time. Its facade is simple yet dignified, with decorative touches limited to a few well-placed bands and cornices. The four prominent stairwells, projecting like sturdy shoulders, add a rhythmic pattern to the long facade along Wiesberggasse. Look closely at the main entrance on Maroltingergasse. There, above the doorway, you’ll find the oversized sculpture by Fritz Zerritsch, “Mother with Fruit Basket and Boy.” This terracotta artwork, inspired by classical forms, adds a touch of timeless grace to the Severhof. The Severhof is more than just bricks and mortar. It carries the name of Albert Sever, a social democratic governor of Lower Austria who hailed from Ottakring, the district where the Severhof stands. A plaque inside commemorates Sever and his wife, Ida. Their legacy is intertwined with the history of this building, a place where community thrives amidst the bustling city. The Severhof isn’t just a building. It is a home, a piece of Vienna’s history, and a symbol of its commitment to social welfare.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to