Discover Germany | Special Theme | Dedicated to Architecture 2018
University library in Cottbus.
The Gehry buildings in Düsseldorf
The Phaeno in Wolfsburg
Visitors can look forward to three beautifully crooked buildings in Düsseldorf’s media harbour. Designed by the CanadianAmerican architect Frank O. Gehry, who is known for his deconstructionist architectural style, the buildings are situated on the Rhine and are made out of different materials. The left building is smoothly plastered, the right one has a brick façade, and the small tower in the middle is covered with silver stainless steel sheets. Since its completion in 1999, the buildings have been a famous landmark of Düsseldorf.
The british newspaper The Guardian once called the Phaeno in Wolfsburg one of the world’s most important modern buildings. Opened in 2005, it houses the city’s science museum. Its special design, created by star architect Zaha Hadid, is in itself worth a visit. Here, angular shapes and rough parts meet soft and flowing elements.
University library in Cottbus Another rather distinctive building can be found in Cottbus: the information, communication and media centre of the the city’s Technical University. With a height of 32 metres and its curved shape, it is a real eyecatcher. The steel construction which is surrounded by a double glass façade, was designed by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.
In the following special theme, we take a closer look at some of Germany’s best architects and their impressive projects to find out more about the art of architecture.
The ‘Waldspirale’ in Darmstadt.
The ‘Waldspirale’ in Darmstadt What looks like it could be placed in Barcelona instead, can be found in Darmstadt. Here, the ‘Waldspirale’, a residential building complex, combines art and architecture in a colourful and playful way. Designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, in collaboration with the architects Josef Krawina, Peter Pelikan and Heinz M. Springmann, the building comprises 105 flats and 12 levels. It does not have any right angles and no straight lines. Colourful pillars, spirals and onion domes characterise the building. Issue 60 | March 2018 | 73