Josef Hoffmann was a disciple of the Austrian architect Otto Wagner who stressed functionalist aesthetics. Hoffmann designed many Vienna Secession exhibitions. In the early works, he presented designs based on the decorative arts. However, he was later captivated by the simple designs pursued by the British Arts and Crafts Movement. Geometric designs dominated Hoffmann’s oeuvre, earning him the nickname “Square Hoffmann.”

Hoffmann believed that everyday objects should have aesthetic value. The projects that he launched at the Vienna Workshop were geared toward unifying designs in the spaces. All the architectural and interior elements, including windows, doors, chairs, furniture, and tableware, were produced together under this philosophy. This was an example of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or universal work of art, that the Vienna Workshop pursued by integrating all these elements to create an ideal design effect.