New Stone Architecture
in Germany
The Neue Staatsgalerie of Stuttgart (1984) and the Städtisches Museum of Mönchengladbach (1982) broke
through the then unspoken prohibition against the use of stone in modern cityscapes. That has changed
the face of Germany architecture, for the better, according to New Stone Architecture in Germany
The text of this enchanting tome is in both German and English and delves into the numerous world-class
architects who have put their mark on Germany. Building by building is explored including architecture drawings and
images of the completed product.
The Indian Embassy in Berlin was a project undertaken by Léon Wohlhage Wernik. The Berlin based
architectural firm won a competition in 1998 for the commission. The Embassy is an abstract view of classical
Indian architecture with a red sandstone facade. Within the
embassy is 200 sq meters of Kota stone from the city of
the same name in Rajastan.
The commission for the extension of the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin landed in the capable
hands of I. M. Pei. The purpose of this portion of the Museum is to house temporary exhibits. The exterior uses
French limestone that may seem familiar to art fans it was also used for the Louvre.
It is not only individual buildings that have fallen under the spell of new stone architecture but also Leipziger
Plaza and the adjoining Potsdamer Platz both found in Berlin. Different architectural firms have been hired to improve
this area after the destruction of and neglect following the Second World War. This section is a
pictorial delight of the
improvements to the heart of Germany's capital city.
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