Rüsch Villa

In the Schulgasse stands the Rüsch Villa, a typical mansion-like construction from the second half of the 19th century. The Rüsch family ran an iron smelting works and forge here. After continuous expansion of its industrial operations, the Rüsch Works became an important corporate enterprise with business activities throughout Europe, and was especially known for its innovative turbines used in generating hydroelectric power. The first person to live in the villa, Ignaz Rüsch (born 1861), became active in the management of the Rüsch Works and was the founding chairman of the Vorarlberg Federation of Industrialists. He was very committed to supporting and expanding Dornbirn’s Secondary School and establishing the Dornbirn Music School.