ÖZKD LXXVII Heft 1 Symposium Josef Hoffmann, pp. 51-56, 2024/04/15
Symposium Josef Hoffmann 2022
The steel-framed windows by Kraus were among the most important innovations and formative elements of the avant-garde in former Czechoslovakia. They were invented by Bratislava-based architect Friedrich Weinwurm in collaboration with metalworking company proprietor Ármin Krausz. These windows, with their narrow steel frames, were characterised by an unusual opening method, as the individual panels could be closed horizontally by moving them along the slide rails built into the metal frame. The sophisticated system of air vents in the upper part of the frame is also worthy of mention. These windows were first used in Bratislava in 1928, then patented and mass produced at Rosice Mining Company in Brno. The article describes the development and the technical parameters of the window, its successful entry into production, and the end of its manufacture. The possibilities for sustainable steel window renovation are also discussed.
