User:Shir-El too/Wolfgang Hoffmann

Wolfgang Hoffmann (1900-1969) was an influental Austrian-American architect and designer who was active in the American Modernism movement between 1925 and 1942.

Much of his work and influence was overshadowed by that of his father, Josef Hoffmann and wife, Josefine Pola (nee Weinbach) Hoffmann, better known as Pola Stout.

He became a professional photographer in later life.

Early life and education
Wolfgang Hoffmann was born in Vienna, Austria in 1900, the son of famous architect, pedagogue and Wiener Werkstatte co-founder Joseph Hoffmann. Of his education and training he is quoted:


 * “I spent eight years at the Realschule, then three years went to a special architectural school, where I perfected my technical knowledge of architecture and general construction. From this school, I was graduated to the Kunstgewerbeschule [Studying under Oskar Strnad and Josef Frank in Vienna]. After finishing this school, I had one and a half years of practical in a well known architect’s office. Thereafter I worked in my Father’s office for two years”.

New York
In 1925 Joseph Urban wrote from New York asking Josef Hoffmann to recommend an assistant. Hoffmann recommended his son, Wolfgang, and Urban sent him a first-class passage ticket to join him.

While studying at the Kunstgewerbeschule Wolfgang had met his father's student, Pola Weinback, who had come from Stryi to study textile design in Vienna. Following Urban's iniviation Wolfgang and Pola were married, then Wolfgang converted his first class ticket into two steerage tickets, and the couple left for America.