Lecture Series «Ein Haus...»: «A house from the past that no longer exists»: When the Masters have left: Bauhaus as my house
Institute of Architecture FHNW
Meisterhaus von Walter Gropius, Dessau (D), 1926, Aufnahme 2022
© Robin Schuldenfrei
A historic building, colloquially referred to as a house «from the past», is transformed so much that it no longer exists afterwards – but nevertheless leaves a lasting impression. These metamorphoses range from measured demolition to replacement buildings that sympathise with the old structure to additions that allude to what was there before in terms of form, material or meaning. Ultimately, it is about how we deal with history and the courage to inscribe ourselves architecturally in the course of time.
The famous master houses of the teachers at the Bauhaus in Dessau served their actual purpose for only a few years: as residences for the «masters». What has happened since they were driven out by National Socialism and lost their status as undisputed heroes of modernism due to a re-evaluation of architectural history? And how do today's travellers feel when visiting one of the Masters' Houses, whose design also propagated a new way of life? Schuldenfrei's lecture is the result of both historical research and her own experiences. Robin Schuldenfrei teaches and conducts research as an architectural historian at the Courtauld Institute in London; her numerous publications include «Luxury and Modernism: Architecture and the Object in Germany 1900–1933», Princeton University Press 2018.
«Ein Haus…» is a series of lectures in which buildings are presented in detail. This reveals the different perspectives of architects, clients, artists, users and others who influence the appearance and fate of the buildings. The focus of the presentations varies, ranging from urban planning premises to construction challenges, from historical references to social ambitions.
- With
Robin Schuldenfrei, Architectural historian, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London
- Info
Lecture in English
Bar service from 6:00 p.m. and after the lecture.- Duration
90 minutes, with break
- Prices
Admission free.
- Links