In the course of the 20th century, squares and avenues have been subtly taken over by sculptures, which have become pints of reference, giving their environments added meaning. Sculptures have been superimposed on buildings and embedded in the texture of façades. They present flowing images, add associations with their angles, they act as symbols. (more…)

It was not possible to make any major structural changes, so the architects had to adopt other less radical approaches, based on transforming existing components: in particular a defensive bunker, whose huge bulk stands out in the middle of the complex, making it the focal point of the new station/square’s design. (more…)

Peter Maly was regarded by his colleague Verner Panton as a perfectionist. It is unlikely that Maly himself would disagree with this observation, particularly given that his role model is Johann Sebastian Bach. Following his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker and interior designer, Maly worked for the Hamburg periodical ‘Schoner Wohnen’, Germany’s biggest interior design magazine. While as working as an editor, he began producing his first designs for Tecta and Cor. Later in his career, he also designed exhibition stands and showrooms for Cor. (more…)

The Turbine Factory for the Allgemeine Electricitats Gesellschaft was completed in 1909 by Peter Behrens. AEG was the foremost electrical company in Germany, a pioneer in the development of electrical consumer devices and one of the first companies to develop a coherent brand identity. (more…)

A combination of technological efficiency and maverick design, Germany’s Volkswagen Autostadt – car city – is a monstrous monument to the 21st century consumer. The 24 hectare, $417 million complex houses a hotel, restaurants, and a theme park of corporate automotive extravagance. The blueprints simple: turn the manufacturing and purchase of a car into a theatrical event, replete with factory tours and festivals. (more…)

This enormous trade fair project for Leipzig continues the city’s long tradition of fairs and exhibitions, and represents part of a new initiative by unified Germany to revitalize the former German Democratic Republic, East Germany, by making this fair one of the most important focal points for meetings and commercial interchange between Eastern and Western Europe. (more…)