Sanatorium Purkersdorf
The sanatorium Purkersdorf is a built as a sanatorium building in Purkersdorf. It was 1904-05, built by the architect Josef Hoffmann for the Director-General of the Silesian iron works Gliwice, Victor Zuckerkandl and is an outstanding example of architecture in the style of the Vienna Secession.
Sanatorium
Zuckerkandl 1903 acquired the land to the city limits of Vienna as a " hydropathic establishment, including spa " to expand it. From the 19th century on the site of a bubbling mineral spring. The original furniture was from the Wiener Werkstätte, was also involved in the Hoffmann. She disappeared for the most part during the linearization and finally in 1938 during the Soviet requisitioning as a military hospital after 1945.
The sanatorium was more hotel than hospital and soon became the social and artistic meeting place for Viennese society. Among the guests were, among others: Arthur Schnitzler, Egon Friedell, Gustav Mahler, Arnold Schoenberg, Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Kolo Moser. The treatment methods included spa treatments, physical therapy, medical massage and physiotherapy. Were treated convalescent cases and nervous diseases especially of the upper layers. By peace, light and air, the rationality of the system and the reduced to a minimum Ornament healing the new fashion diseases nervousness and hysteria should be encouraged. By reading room, game room for card games, table tennis, billiards and music room was provided for the entertainment of guests.
In 1926 was made against the will of Josef Hoffmann by architect Leopold Bauer with regard to the large amount of space for an increase, which affected the original artistic conception crucial.
After the death of Victor Zuckerkandl in 1927 the sanatorium was taken over by his nephews and nieces. In 1930 a son resumed the enterprise with little success. Trude Zuckerkandl tried in 1938 to rehabilitate the ailing operation. Before an economic recovery was the " Anschluss" of Austria in March 1938 and then the linearization of the sanatorium. The building was used towards the end of World War II as a military hospital. In 1945 it was commandeered by the Red Army.
Hospital
The Evangelical Church bought the building in 1952 and converted it as a hospital. Part of the house was used as a nursing home. When remodeling the old pavilion had to be demolished due to disrepair. The operation was discontinued in 1975. Building and park were long unused and fell into disrepair.
Until April 1984 nor the adjacent " Villa Paula " were used as a nursing home and the other three pavilions as retirement home. In the hospital building, the kitchen was only still in use.
Necessary modifications and contemporary adaptations also failed for lack of public support. Because the location was also a competence problem. Vienna was not responsible and Lower Austria not interested in the nursing home for mainly Vienna.
Restoration
On building an exterior renovation took place in 1995, with the top floor removed and the original appearance is restored. Inside cultural festivals and in the years 1996-2001 Paul Manker Polydrama found - instead of " Alma A show biz ever after" about the life of Alma Mahler -Werfel, which was also filmed there. The necessary interior renovation was finally completed in 2003. The sanatorium was fitted with attachments and is now used as an aged care residence.