Softcover30 x 20 cm landscapeGerman
It was not until his late work, the Berlin Philharmonic (1956–1963), that Hans Scharoun finally achieved his deserved international acclaim. Around the same time, Scharoun also won the international architecture competition in Wolfsburg for a new theater building. After a number of drafts and tough negotiations regarding its realization, the cultural building was inaugurated ceremoniously on October 5, 1973. Four decades later the building on Klieversberg has not only established itself as one of the most significant touring theater venues in Germany, but its architecture has also retained its impressive presence and exceptional standards. On the occasion of its fortieth anniversary, Katrin Barthmann and Rocco Curti from the Lower Saxony State Office for Heritage Protection accord the first-rate cultural building its rightful place in twentieth-century architectural history. Nicole Froberg from the Wolfsburg Architecture Forum provides a virtual walkthrough of the rooms. The photographer Lars Landmann draws attention to magnificent details and enables interesting insights behind the scenes.
Stadt | Raum | Geschichte Band 2
Preservation through progressive building. The example of the Wolfsburg Theater shows that heritage protection is based on preservation and conservation, but can also mean thinking progressively and resume building. The late work designed in 1965 by Berlin architect Hans Scharoun (1893–1972) and inaugurated on October 5, 1973, is among the “gems” of German post-war modernity, with its almost completely preserved original features. From June 2014 on, the cultural building was closed for 18 months and overhauled, modernized, and extended. This ambitious project could become a prototype for handling buildings from the 1960s successfully.
The Architecture Forum (Forum Architektur) accompanied the work and recounts the learning processes and the many facets of the building site, many of which are no longer visible since completion, but which have been captured impressively by the photographer Lars Landmann. Owners, users, architects, and monument conservators contribute views about the complex building process, by means of the categories of “preservation”, “improvements”, and “renewal”.
With contributions by Winfried Brenne, Rocco Curti, Heidi Fengel, Nicole Froberg, Franz Jaschke, Petra Pennigsdorf, Vladimír Šlapeta, Wilfried Wang among others
Stadt | Raum | Geschichte Vol. 3
In Wolfsburg life is different. The abundant greenery of the city landscape featuring many squares and parks was primarily created during the 1950s and 1960s. Today this represents a special quality that contributes significantly to a life close to nature for the locals. After more than 50 years, these open spaces are often barely consciously noticed. Many squares and parks are experiencing a process of change, in order to meet the new social requirements placed on public space resulting from demographic changes and a globalized world. Precisely for this reason, this architectural heritage must not only be preserved, but also developed further. This publication presents various Wolfsburg squares and parks in detail, by means of designs and plans, whilst also providing stimuli for their regeneration. Some previously unpublished shots by Heinrich Heidersberger from the early 1960s, as well as a current photo series by Ali Altschaffel, make it possible to experience the quality and special atmosphere of such decorative spaces of post-war modernity.
