Villa Beer: the modernist icon opens to the general public in Vienna

Few could also be acquainted with Villa Beer, an instance of the Austrian-Swedish modernist architect Josef Frank’s work in Vienna – and even fewer could have visited the house, which was till just lately left unoccupied and uncared for, recognized largely to structure aficionados by historical past books and archive pictures, its rundown exterior glimpsed at in disappointment by the choose few Viennese conscious of its existence.

That is about to vary. From March 2026, the newly restored villa within the tiny Viennese suburb of Hietzing is opening its doorways to the general public, following a cautious restoration course of which brings the uncommon instance of Viennese modernism again into the highlight. In brief: in case you savour a modernist structure go to and look ahead to seeing locations like Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat in Brno and Eileen Grey’s renovated E-1027 in Côte d’Azur, a tour of this Twentieth-century gem could be so as.

Sadly, the Beers bumped into monetary hardship quickly after the home was accomplished, by no means residing in it for lengthy, and renting it out typically to cowl their mortgage instalments. Moreover, tragically, ultimately, many of the household fled Austria with the rise of antisemitism later within the Nineteen Thirties – as did Frank, who went on to dwell in Sweden and have become a number one determine within the design world by his involvement with the inside design retailer Svenskt Tenn (Oskar Wlach additionally left for the US). The couple’s daughter, Elisabeth Beer, was murdered in Maly Trostinez in 1941.

From that time, Villa Beer suffered neglect and altering fingers, when it was acquired in 2020 by the present proprietor, Lothar Trierenberg, who based (and at present is managing director at) the Villa Beer Basis the next 12 months. By this car, he launched into a journey to guard this uncommon pattern of Viennese architectural heritage – kick-starting a restoration mission in order that the general public can rediscover the tales of its architects and homeowners, and their legacy.

Trierenberg writes in a guide printed on the event of the reopening of Villa Barr: ‘After I first entered the home 5 years in the past, having found it by a lucky coincidence, I knew little about its previous. But the importance of its structure – and what it displays – revealed itself instantly. Regardless of its deserted situation, with a lot of its unique attraction light, the character and energy of the structure had been instantly palpable. One factor was clear: This story and its that means should not stay non-public, however somewhat attain and transfer as many individuals as attainable.’

Trierenberg labored in collaboration with architect Christian Prasser, the Federal Monuments Workplace and panorama architects Auböck + Kárász to breathe new life into the drained and much-altered landmark. The principle residence was introduced again to its unique state, and two decrease ranges had been discreetly added, adapting the storage into what would be the fundamental entrance and store, and increasing to incorporate places of work, an archive and cupboard space, alongside a brand new mini auditorium.

The home had undergone a number of subdivisions over time – even break up right into a two-property association at one time. The restoration work returned the inside to the house’s unique, single-residence, open-plan structure. Whereas the Beers’ free furnishings was lengthy misplaced, a number of preserved built-in components had been saved and refreshed – lacking elements reconstructed the place wanted and infrequently in a method that signifies what’s outdated and what’s new, to showcase each what the house would have appeared like in its freshly-constructed material – and what the patina added by the passing of time.

A excessive customary of expertise and historic accuracy had been prioritised, and the workforce typically engaged the mission’s unique contractors for the reconstructions and replacements. Consequently, flooring, fireplaces, safety grilles, the dumbwaiter and radiators had been repaired, alongside a number of home windows.

Even the music room was reinstated with a grand piano of the identical period, changing the long-lost Bösendorfer one owned by the Beers, who often hosted recitals and musical soirees.

Aiming for the home to change into a beacon for tradition and studying, Katharina Egghart, the managing director of the Villa Beer Basis, flags {that a} various programme of actions is at present within the works. It will embrace something from guided excursions, discussions, music and literary occasions, to symposia and academic workshops.

The newly renovated prime flooring (furnished with textiles and furnishings designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn) will probably be accessible to even host company in a single day, bookable by the Villa Beer’s web site, whereas inventive residences and analysis programmes are additionally in the home’s future. In the meantime, the principle eating room and kitchen can be utilized to host inventive dinner events.

Trierenberg stated: ‘Villa Beer can be supposed to change into a spot of studying and educating for structure in addition to for the advanced historical past of the interwar interval.’ Egghart added: ‘Regardless that Villa Beer will probably be open to the general public in future, its character as a residential constructing will probably be preserved so far as attainable. Guests ought to really feel like welcome company.’