Comodo

As we have seen in his writing, American culture was a powerful influence in Loos's conception of what Austria should aspire to be. America was the utopian ideal, but Loos never returned to the United States and only designed one building that was to be constructed there. From the practical to the completely fantastic, this collection of skyscraper designs for the Chicago Tribune Competition has been a source of both bemusement and careful study for architects and historians. More than any other entry to the competition, the massive Doric column submitted by Adolf Loos has puzzled historians with its unprecedented design that seemingly held little parallel to the architectural values that the architect espoused. By closely examining his design for the Chicago Tribune Competition in relation to a few other public designs, this chapter will illustrate the fundamental components of Loos' s public architecture and provide a more comprehensive understanding of his entry.