Diploma – Theory
Johann Staber and the Waldviertel in Lower Austria
the architectural contribution of the architect to this region based on the furniture factory Bobbin in Gmünd
The company site of the former furniture producer Bobbin Holzwarenfabrik A.G. in Gmünd, a city of the northern part of Lower Austria, is in many ways a historical place. Founded in the 1920s on the territory of a former refugee camp and shaped by its proximity to the border with the Czech Republic, the business became a thriving economic force in this region after World War II. At the same time, the surrounding camp barracks developed into the new district Gmünd II, where soon many workers of the factory found new homes.
In the early 1950s, the young architect Johann Staber, later known for his design of the UNO-City in Vienna, came to Gmünd to start his career as an independent architect. At the early age of 24 he planned the large factory building as well as the office building on the company‘s premises. Also a large number of other projects by Staber in the entire region date from this time.
The aim of this thesis is to research and present the connection between the history of Bobbin Holzwarenfabrik A.G. and the historical urban development of Gmünd II. In addition, Staber´s buildings will be classified within the framework of the architect´s oeuvre in Lower Austria. Afterwards, the condition of the company´s historically relevant sites are to be evaluated. Also, it was important to draw up a room book of the factory hall and the office building by Johann Staber in order to document the current condition of the buildings in detail to establish the basis for suitable repair solutions.