Villa Beer Renovation

English description provided by the architects.

A key work of Viennese Modernism open to the public for the first time

After years of intensive research and restoration work, one of the most important residential buildings of Viennese Modernism can once again be experienced in its original quality.

Villa Beer is considered a key work of Austrian modernism. Architecture theorist Christian Kühn emphasised that its significance 'can hardly be overestimated,' while Friedrich Achleitner described it as 'probably the most important example of Viennese residential culture of the interwar period.' Internationally, it ranks alongside icons such as Villa Tugendhat, Villa Savoye and Villa Müller.

CAREFUL RESTORATION

The aim was to preserve the house from decay and secure its long-term future, as well as to restore its unique character and adapt it to its planned use.

To achieve this, windows that had been added later were closed and additional walls were removed. The open room layout, the light-flooded interiors and the unusual materials now characterize the house once again as they were intended.

The original room structure was retained, but adapted to the necessary infrastructure for the future museum operations.

As part of the basement renovation, the terrace in front of the living room was also converted into a basement, creating a climate-controlled exhibition space for the Villa Beer archive. The two levels of the basement were connected by a lift.

Mirror panels in the garden fence indicate that the property was originally twice as large. In her design, Maria Auböck attached great importance to preserving the existing tree population as far as possible.

Particularly noteworthy is the replanting of two 60-year-old black locust trees (the original trees had to be removed due to fungal infestation) in front of the villa.

The current garden was designed to highlight the original relationship between the house and the garden, as well as to serve as a place for visitors to stroll and hold events.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF VIENNA

The project costs for the renovation amount to around 10 million euros.

Further subsidies from the City of Vienna amounting to 200,000 euros are earmarked for the operation of Villa Beer as a place of education.

PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VILLA FOR MR JULIUS AND MRS MARGARETE BEER
- THE HISTORY OF THE BEER FAMILY

The property in the Hietzing villa district, acquired in 1929 by Julius Beer and his wife Margarethe, was designed by the architects as a prestigious residence for the art-loving couple, who belonged to liberal Judaism, and reflected both their social status and their understanding of culture. The villa was the architects' largest private commission.

As a result, he was no longer able to service the loan instalments. Although the family retained the right to live in the house, from 1932 onwards they had to rent it out repeatedly in order to finance the repayments.

The tenants during these years included prominent artists such as Richard Tauber, Jan Kiepura and Martha Eggerth, as well as their secretary Marcel Prawy, who lived in the house until they were expelled in 1938.

The fate of the family is exemplary of the disenfranchisement, expulsion and extermination of Vienna's Jewish population.

The biographies of the Beers, Franks and Wlachs thus refer to the numerous Viennese Jews who were forced to emigrate and to the irretrievable loss that this persecution meant for the cultural and social diversity of the city.

Two months later, the Beer family moved into their new house on Wenzgasse, which was to become the most significant work by Frank and his long-time professional partner, Oskar Wlach.

Unlike its international counterparts, such as Villa Savoye in Poissy (1928–31) by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret or Villa Tugendhat in Brno (1928–30) by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, both of which were listed as historic monuments in the 1960s, it did not receive this status until 1987.

However, Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach abandoned the strict logic of the classical floor plan in favour of an open, three-dimensional spatial structure.

On the outside, this 'inner freedom' of the villa is continued in an asymmetrical, differentiated façade design. Basements, attics, terraces and balconies extend the living concept outdoors and create spaces for movement, retreat and socialising.

Frank's vision of modern architecture aimed at an organic, lifelike house that frees living from rigid rules, opens up space for spontaneity and dissolves the boundaries between architecture, interior space and urban context – an approach that continues to shape modern living to this day.

The opening to visitors now allows Josef Frank's work to be rediscovered.In addition to the architecture, Josef Frank and his partner Oskar Wlach also designed the entire interior of Villa Beer, including furniture, fabrics and curtains. These designs were produced at the time by their joint company Haus & Garten.

Over the decades, the built-in furniture has been preserved, but most of the original furnishings have been lost, with the exception of a few pieces. The preserved built-in elements were restored with great care, and missing parts were replaced.

Floors, fireplaces, security grilles, the dumbwaiter and radiators were repaired and, where necessary, rebuilt to a high standard of craftsmanship and historical accuracy, in some cases with the involvement of the original contractors.

A conscious decision was made not to reconstruct lost furniture or add additional furnishings to the rooms. Instead, empty spaces were left to create room for exploring the history of the house and its inhabitants.

A LIVELY MEETING PLACE
PROGRAM AND EDUCATION

With its opening, Villa Beer will become more than just a monument: it is set to become a lively venue for architecture, culture and research.

Under the direction of Katharina Egghart, a diverse program of guided tours, discussions, music and literary events, symposia and educational offerings is being developed.

From Wednesday to Sunday, there will be regular overview tours on the architecture and history of the house. In addition, themed tours will offer in-depth insights – for example, on the restoration of the villa, Josef Frank's furniture and fabric designs, or social life in the villa.

A central component of the programme will also be an examination of Jewish life in Hietzing before 1938. Julius Beer supported, among other things, the construction of the architecturally outstanding Hietzing Synagogue.

guided tour in order to discover and experience the architecture independently. Guests can enjoy the house almost as if they were residents, browsing through a book from the library and sitting in an armchair. For safety reasons, however, not all rooms in the house are accessible during free visits.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

From autumn 2026, programs for schoolchildren of various ages, workshops and academy formats for adults, as well as walks, will expand the range of activities on offer. They will cover the architecture and history of Villa Beer and its immediate surroundings.

LIVING IN VILLA BEER

For researchers and guests who want to experience Villa Beer in its original function as a residence, a new living area has been created in the attic, consisting of a kitchen, bathroom and three guest rooms. It invites visitors not only to view the house, but also to live in it.

Thanks to the support of the Beijer Foundation (owner of Svenskt Tenn), the attic can now be experienced as a living environment in the spirit of Josef Frank.

The focus is on an authentic living experience: accordingly, the rooms are designed as guest rooms and – as was customary in the 1930s – equipped with a washbasin; the bathroom is shared. In addition, guests have access to a small kitchen, a dining room and the roof terrace.