The Architecture of Secession The new-found Union of Austrian Artists sought to push design as a whole toward an idealistic freedom and away from stagnant values and commercial tastes. The group quickly rose to international fame due to its forward-thinking membership that included artists, designers, sculptors, painters. and architects. Architecturally, these great minds included Otto Wagner, and many of his students and proteges, such as Joseph Maria Obrich, Joseff Hoffman. The first fundamental architecture of the movement was the Secession Building. It was built over six months in 1898, and financed by the sale of art, and by benefactors such as Karl Wittgenstein (father of philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein). It became the principal gallery space, headquarters for the movement, and temple to the community’s evolving…