Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Fine and Decorative Art and Design

First Advisor

Matthew Nichols

Second Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Abstract

This thesis examines the works by Austrian architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky through the lens of social change, highlighting her pioneering role in 20th-century social housing projects. It analyzes how her designs for functional, affordable domestic spaces embodied principles of social equality. Her dedication to addressing the specific needs of housing women, eliminating household burdens, and designing kindergartens to provide dependable child care showcases her as a feminist architect within the modernist movement. The research also explores her groundbreaking work on the Frankfurt Kitchen, tracing its lasting impact on contemporary ergonomics and modern domestic architecture. Finally, this thesis examines her personal life, contextualizing her contributions to early socialist and feminist ideals and revealing how her architectural philosophy and activism sought to empower individuals and influence European housing policies. This thesis explores Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky’s pivotal role in early 20th-century architecture by examining political environments, housing conditions, educational background, and innovative designs. Through her work in social housing and feminist design, Schütte-Lihotzky transformed domestic spaces to support working women’s independence. Her efforts advanced modernist housing reform and feminist principles by prioritizing efficiency, affordability, and community-centered spaces

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