Josef FrankAgainst Design

With Josef Frank (1885-1967), the catalogue for the exhibition in the MAK, Vienna, focuses on one of the most important Austrian architects of the 20th century. In addition to his groundbreaking architectural oeuvre, the discussion considers Frank as an extremely productive designer who, although sceptical and a prominent cultural critic, must be thanked for his many important stimuli to international design that are still valid today. As an architect and designer who is still “contemporary” to this day, Frank was known for his pragmatic design approach, and pleaded for “normal” – but not at all normative – architecture and design. For Frank, the qualities of social experience were more important than formal aspects; his interiors and utilitarian articles were primarily intended to serve the comfort of the user. Josef Frank’s ideas of an uncontrived and unpretentious utilitarian expedience, which was focused on an independent, free, enlightened housing and living culture beyond all stylistic dogmas and fashionable conventions, is more topical today than ever.