Josef Hoffmann was born in 1870 in Pirnitz, Moravia which is now Brtnice, Czech Republic. He believed in creating a union between art, architecture, craftsmanship and design.
This integrated approach would encompass everything from buildings to interior design to furniture design to a teaspoon. He also believed in the Secessionist idea of art as a regenerative force and in making everyday objects more beautiful. He showed his integrated philosophy when he designed the building, interiors, and furnishings of the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.
His style was also characterized by geometric shapes such as with is Kubus sofa which is rectangular in shape with padding in the shape of squares throughout the piece.