The Gartenhof-model was not only used for large scale
housing developments, but also for single block developments. A good example of
this is the Alois Appel Hof east of the Karl Seitz Hof. This Alois Appel Hof is
a so-called superblock located between the Pragerstraße, Morsegasse and
Voltagasse. The block opens to the Pragerstraße and the other facades have
access to the inner courtyard garden through large gates.
The Alois Appel Hof was designed by Erich Franz
Leischner (1887-1970), an architect employed by the city of Vienna who was
responsible for several communal housing projects often with amenities such as
playgrounds, shops, bathhouses and even parking garages. His work fits neatly
into the interwar period known as Das Rote Wien (The Red Vienna -because of the
predominantly socialist city counsel of the period). E. Leischner,
together with V. Weixler, is also known for the book Wohnhausbauten der
Gemeinde Wien, published in 1926.
The C-shaped superblock opens at the front on the Pragerstraße,
giving a glimpse of the verdant oasis within. As is customary the name is
presented in large letters on the outer facade. Inside the entrances and stair
cases give a rhythm to the otherwise undecorated facades.
The Alois Appel Hof was named in honour of Alois
Appel (1872-1946), a metalworker and unionleader who founded an aid foundation
for needy children (Verein Kinderfreunde) in 1911. Many of the housing projects
of this period were named after socialist heroes, both local and international.
In Vienna we find the Karl Marx Hof, Friedrich Engels Hof, Reumann Hof and Karl
Seitz Hof to name a few.
All housing projects built by order of the socialist
city council of Vienna during the First Republic have this kind of
commemorative text on one or more facades (mainly at the entrance or on a
corner along a main thoroughfare).The Alois Appel Hof was built between 1931
and '32.
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