Richard Biegel: Urbanism and Architecture of Berlin

o. s. Kruh invites you to a cycle of lectures on contemporary architecture

Thu 11. 10. 2012 19:30

Biegel / Berlin

Urbanism and architecture of Berlin, lecture by art historian Richard Biegel

Few cities serve as such a vivid mirror of history as Berlin. From a small medieval town on the Spree, it gradually transformed over just three centuries into an electoral residence, the capital of the Prussian kingdom, a metropolis of industrial Germany, a center of European avant-garde, and unfortunately also the capital of the Third Reich, which was to become the heart of a new, Nazi Europe under the name Germania. The deep fall that the Second World War brought meant the destruction of a large part of the city and especially its division, which lasted nearly half a century and created two completely different cultural and architectural worlds. The reunification of the city in 1990 provided unprecedented energy, making it one of the centers of contemporary European architecture. To understand Berlin, it is crucial that all these historical layers are still readable in the city today and significantly determine its unique atmosphere. This "reading" of the city will therefore be the main theme of the lecture on Berlin's urbanism and architecture.



Czech Center Prague, Rytířská 31, Prague 1, free admission

Publications, T-shirts, and bags from Kruh are available for sale at favorable prices during the lectures

Partners: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Architecture School AVU Prague, Czech Center
The project was supported by: Konsepti, City Hall of Prague, MDA Praha s.r.o., Metrostav a. s., Sipral a. s.
Media partners: Era 21, Radio 1, www.archiweb.cz, Cultural biweekly A2
Info: www.kruh.info, www.denarchitektury.cz

This lecture announces a professional bus excursion for city representatives, architects, architecture students, and media to explore Berlin's architecture. There will be a meeting with local architects discussing the historical and contemporary development of Berlin, guided tours of selected contemporary realizations, a visit to the Czech embassy, and a lecture by architect Mirko Baum.
Following the successful Architecture Day 2012, this is another lecture on architecture that aims to bring quality contemporary architecture closer to the public.

Monika Štěpánová, director of the Czech Center Berlin: 
“The architectural excursion to Berlin, organized by the Czech Center Berlin and the Czech civic association Kruh, will present successful examples of Berlin's development. Visitors will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves in detail with several reconstructed significant historical buildings (such as the Reichstag building by Norman Foster or the New Museum by David Chipperfield) and inspiring memorial construction by internationally recognized architects (e.g., the Chapel of Reconciliation by the trio of architects Rach-Reitermann-Sassenroth). The tour will also include a visit to the Czech embassy building by architects Machonin and a lecture by Czech-German architect Mirko Baum in these spaces titled 'The Divided House - a small reflection on beauty.' The famous architect of Czech origin will primarily address questions related to the perception of beauty in architectural works, current aesthetic patterns, and the concept of beauty itself. Come to get inspired in Berlin!”