His father also involved Joseph Emanuel in the writing of "Folders and Outlines of some buildings of Vienna, self-drawn from J.E.F.v.E.," with a preface by the court antiquarian Carl Gustav Heraeus.

He also spent time in Leyden and London, where he studied the re-invented Steam engines and possibly also met Isaac Newton.

He sought and obtained (in December 1722) a court architect position where he also exercised his considerable technical abilities, building the first steam engine in continental Europe (at Schwarzenberg Palace) during the same year.

In 1725, Joseph Emanuel, succeeded in turn to this position, probably with the help of his powerful sponsor, Court Building director, count Gundaker von Althan, completing his father's unfinished projects.

In 1729, Joseph Emanuel was appointed Imperial Court Chamber Advisor and dedicated himself increasingly to building steam engines for mine excavation.

Contrary to his father's approach, the son thought in terms of facades, which are however different from those of Hildebrandt and his numerous successors and a perfect example of Western European Baroque classicism: simple, rational and without effusive ornamentation.