Traditionalist School (architecture)
The traditionalism in architecture is a flow that has emerged at the beginning of the 20th century in central and northern Europe. In the Netherlands, the style has become known in connection with the Delft School ( 1925-1955 ). In Germany and Scandinavia emerged as important buildings of traditionalism. Stuttgart Central Station by Paul Bonatz is an example of the so-called Stuttgart School. In Stuttgart in 1933 was also the traditionalist Kochenhofsiedlung as an alternative model for Weißenhofsiedlung from 1927, which was built in Cubist style of the emerging modern architecture.
The architectural traditionalism is often found in today's time use, especially since the use of classical language of architecture became popular again by postmodernism.
In addition, the concept of traditional architecture that describes a variety of regional types exist.
Traditionalism in the 21st century
In our time, the traditionalism proves to be significant in dealing with the historic city. In various historical centers use is made of a traditionalist form of language, both in the restoration as well as new buildings. A typical example of this construction is seen in the Belgian old town of Antwerp. Other Belgian cities of Bruges, Ghent or Brussels to work with the same principle. The Belgians see their historic city centers as a work of art. The added traditionalist architecture plays a subservient role to increase the splendor of the historic architecture.
Ninety kilometers north of Antwerp is the Dutch government city of The Hague. The basic idea in the historic center of The Hague is not the image of a Gesamtkunstwerk, but the " end of the historic city." It is obvious that these opposing views have led to different urban spaces, urban landscapes and skylines. The contrast between the historic centers of Antwerp and The Hague is so great that for many there is a need to organize an exchange of views, to discuss these and other urban models. A symposium for architects and urban planners on the theme " Managing the historic city in Europe " could thereby be informative. Pictures of Antwerp and The Hague are in the section " Historical town today - traditionalism or Generic City " was added.
Emergence of traditionalism in the Netherlands
From 1925-1955 this direction largely determined architectural education at the Technical University of Delft under the direction of Prof. Marinus January Granpré Molière, considered the founder of the Delft School ( Delftse School) is seen. After the dominance of the Delft School with its negative consequences (due to bias ) the traditionalism has long been frowned upon by the new avant-garde and despised.
Although Berlage is not generally counted among the traditionalists, his architectural style around 1900 ( Exchange and other buildings ) can be seen as the beginning of traditionalism. A student and follower of Berlage was Alexander Kropholler, which developed into a leading traditionalists of the Netherlands. Kropholler was a talented architect, shall be established by the partially expressive, but also a formalistic and exaggerated forms. It is interesting to note that the sister of Kropholler, Margaret Staal Kropholler, a famous architect within the expressionist Amsterdam School was.
Another personality of the Dutch traditionalism is the architect Frits Peutz. While he built several traditionalist churches in the 1930s, he worked simultaneously on the cubist -constructivist Glass Palace in Heerlen. According to an exemplary restoration in 2003, this building reached more notoriety.
With the Dutch traditionalism, various architects have been engaged in a creative way. He is an imaginative conversion of traditionalist forms and spatial concepts in modern times.
The best traditionalist buildings in Europe have still not lost their compelling significance. They often contain a greater authenticity than buildings of the preceding neo-styles of historicism and eclecticism.
Traditionalism and urban
The importance of traditionalism in architecture of the 20th century is perhaps less in architecture than in the area of urban development. The architect and urban planner Berlage designed his urban plans with a traditionalist setting. The fact that he never became a radical modern architect, has sometimes taken him sick. But Berlage has an exemplary urban planning developed and implemented, which is difficult to surpass today. His urban design works properly, also in the social sense. Berlage has not only designed the famous Amsterdam -South, but also parts of the city in his hometown of The Hague and other cities. Certain Berlage neighborhoods in The Hague are currently threatened by a proliferation of uncoordinated increases. In order for the city silhouettes designed by Berlage be destroyed. Cause this evil is the view of the city architect Maarten Schmitt, who wrote the following about Berlage, "The Structure of Berlage 's a totally overhauled thing He has had virtually no effect Respect for Berlage is based more on nostalgia than on real significance. .. " The renowned German -speaking author Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani describes the urban work of Berlage in his publication "The City in the 20th Century" with much greater respect.
Traditionalism and Expressionism
Another significant aspect of traditionalism is the sophisticated architectural craftsmanship around Berlage, which positively interacted with the younger generation and influenced them. This building culture formed the basis for several new architectural trends in the Netherlands such as the Expressionism of the Amsterdam School. The architect Michel de Klerk and Piet Kramer came from Berlage ago, but were also aware of Antoni Gaudi and went on. The architect Gaudi, de Klerk, Kramer, Mendelsohn and other German architects were among the pioneers who founded the international Expressionism. Later known buildings this direction can be seen in Ronchamp, Bilbao, Sydney, Berlin and so on.
Historic town today - traditionalism or " Generic City "
For the traditionalists, the city skyline is seen as an important element of city architecture, with historic towns, villages and settlements serve as a model. For the overall composition of the city architect was formerly responsible for the etc. put together into a harmonious whole the houses, towers, squares. This was done in an ongoing development process. For the traditionalists, the city or village Silhouette the image of the overall shape and the urban identity determined. The term composition is now known as camera direction.
Located in the historic urban planning is another successful approach to call, the Gridiron Plan with its free urban fillings. The video control plays a lesser role in this approach. One of the most famous Gridiron plans located on Manhattan, where no consideration had to be made to a historic town.
The Hague - Historic Centre with "Generic City". As an example here, the Dutch government center is shown in The Hague. It is noteworthy, because it is related to a recent urban development in the 21st century. Because of its national importance the government center is visited and photographed by many tourists. It is noticeable that there is often photographed so as the visitors would like to see it, ie without the newly built high-rise buildings in the background. The present appearance is the result of the architectural concept of the well-known Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the so-called "Generic City". At various international architecture schools Den Haag is already presented as a typical example of the "Generic City". It is discussed the question of how the new center of The Hague ( mixture of an important historical city with the " Generic City " ) behaves differently towards conceived cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Munich and Bern, whose historic centers " Generic City have remained free. "
During the period of 1998-2009, the above-mentioned city architect of The Hague was heavily influenced by the view of Rem Koolhaas. In his biography ( " The Hague - Maarten Schmitt " ), he writes about his architectural ideas. By taking the message " Generic City " by Koolhaas at hand, Schmitt formulates its urban creed as follows: " The end of the historic city seems to be perfectly tailored for a city like The Hague. " In addition, the person responsible for the town planning councilor got his inspiration in faraway Dubai during study trips. The high-rise building with the slanted tip recalls, among other things to well-known models in the Middle East.
The American architect Richard Meier delivered in 1986 with the construction of the new city hall is also an important contribution to the Hague. His design in the city center was designed so that the nearby city silhouette of the national government center remained.
The Hague 2000
National Government Center ( r), Art Gallery Mauritshuis ( l)
Small tower ( l) is the seat of the Prime Minister
Input governmental center at Het Plein ( The place ), north side
The Hague in 2012, historic town and " Generic City "
Art Gallery Mauritshuis (m) and " Generic City "
Het Plein, east side, at the center of government and " Generic City "
Het Plein, south side
Antwerp - Historic Centre with traditionalism. As mentioned above, see the Belgians their historic city centers as a Gesamtkunstwerk. They have a relationship between the historical center and paintings by Rubens or Rembrandt. If these paintings are restored, then this is not done at the Mondrian - style, but in a custom traditionalist technology. Applied to the architecture and urban planning that means so much that in the historical city centers, the following interventions are undesirable: Cubist style, XL architecture, Silhouetbeschädigung, inappropriate color and material choice. These interventions are used in the Belgian city centers, or only to a limited extent before. Also in the Netherlands Amsterdam Old Town, which was included in the series of the Unesco World Heritage Site, the same procedure is to be seen. Amsterdam is aware that the historic center of another urban requires handling as for example in the grid town Manhattan.
Town house, the big market
Antwerp today, historic town and traditionalism
Historic Town and traditionalism
Antwerp ca 1890-1900
Muttenz - Integration of architectural styles of different eras. Muttenz is an industrial city east of Basel with 18,000 inhabitants. The treated here community center was built in 1970 located on the church square of the historic village core. The project has long been controversial, both in homeland security as well as in architectural circles. Today it is referred to as architectural pioneering achievement. The architect Rolf Keller (in collaboration with Fritz Schwarz ) recognized at that time that a historical architectural style often poorly compatible with the cubist style of modern architecture. In order to achieve a harmonious ensemble of buildings, requirements for the design were developed "on the basis of a close study of the characteristics of Muttenzer farmhouses " (Google Maps: Muttenz church square ). Another well-known project of Rolf Keller with other architects is the housing estate " Seldwyla " in Zumikon.
In the residential area of Sand Mountain in Biberach had Rolf Keller (1930-1993) the artistic direction, the manuscripts of various architects are expressed. To urban design in Biberach Keller said: " Similar to the impressive ancient cities that appear to come from a single source, is also here on the sand mountain, through a few materials (natural red tile roofs white plaster, economical use of colors ) create a harmoniously coordinated whole. Such urban design guidelines to ensure a concise urban space or - combined - allow diversity in unity ".
Is interesting to compare the languages of architectural form Rolf Keller and Rob Krier. While one can speak of a historicizing traditionalism at Krier, enter the buildings by Rolf Keller the impression of a modern or contemporary traditionalism.
Muttenz, community center on Church Square, 1970 ( Rolf Keller and Fritz Schwarz )
Examples in the Netherlands ( 20th and 21st Century )
Amsterdam Stock Exchange, 1896-1903 ( Berlage )
Stock exchange in Amsterdam
Community Centre in Usquert, 1928-30 ( Berlage )
Church on Mariaplein in Vught, 1933-34 (Alexander Kropholler )
Living area at the Maria- plein in Vught, 1933-34 (Alexander Kropholler )
Allotment Kwartel - laan in The Hague, 1927-28 (Alexander Kropholler )
Museum Boijmans in Rotterdam, 1935 ( Adrianus van der Steur )
St. Nicolaas church in Meijel, 1955 ( Frits Peutz )
Brandevoort in Helmond, the village " De Veste ", 2005 ( Rob Krier )
Brandevoort in Helmond Allotment
Brandevoort
Louwman Car museum in The Hague, 2010 (Michael Graves)
Examples in Germany and Switzerland
Allotment free village in Muttenz near Basel, 1919-21 (Hannes Meyer)
Kunstmuseum Basel, 1931-36 (Paul Bonatz and Rudolf Christ )
City Hall and water tower in Delmenhorst, 1909-14 (Heinz Stoffregen )
Mannesmann House in Dusseldorf 1911-12 (Peter Behrens )
Allotment Piesteritz, 1916-19 (Paul Schmitthenner and Otto Rudolf Salvisberg )
Kochenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart, 1933 (Paul Schmitthenner, Paul Bonatz etc.)