Canyon

Drawing on his personal experiences in another way, Loos's column creates a powerful impression due in part to his choice of material. Departing from the pristine white surfaces of classicism that could have easily been recreated in glazed white terracotta, Loos chooses to use black polished granite. Few people have commented on his choice of material, but a significant part of the psychological impact of this building lies in its dark sheathing. Loos's father was a stonemason and Adolf gained an appreciation for fine materials early in life. Using marble, travertine, and other sumptuous stone in both his public and residential architecture, Loos chose to use the finest materials and left them unornamented. Whether granite was chosen for shock value, an ironic play on the idea of the "White City," an attempt to modernize the classical column, or simply a practical solution to hide the dirt and grime of the city remains unknown.

The way in which Loos used materials and classicism was consistent throughout his career. He deliberately accentuated the differences between interior and exterior, private and public, monument and house, creating a sense of duality in his work. Although Loos uses classical elements and the same fine materials in both his residential and public architecture, the way in which he uses them in each instance is very specific.