“Architecture must be socially justified, otherwise it is only a picture.”
Ludwig Leo
Ludwig Leo (1924-2012) was perhaps the most unusual architect working in West Berlin in the post-war period. His best known work is the circulation tank (1967-1974) near to the Tiergarten S-Bahn station – a high-tech facility for testing models of ships, consisting of a 120 meter long pink circulation pipe, set on its side, topped by a blue laboratory hall.
The exhibition Ludwig Leo – Ausschnitt turns attention to four other projects of Leo, in order to display previously overlooked aspects of his work. Decisive themes in Leo’s designs were the idea of dense spatial sequences, movable elements, and spaces to encourage social contact. The future users of the buildings, as physical and social beings, were always at the centre of his designs. He pursued these ideas with extraordinary rigour, and explained them though impressive drawings, which are largely unknown.
Besides the actual buildings, Leo’s way of working can still be an inspiration today. His experimental approach to the project requirements, the unconditional questioning of planning conventions, the inventive detailing, the focus on people, and the thinking of architecture in complex relationships embody an attitude which can remind us of the true potential of architecture.
The exhibition takes place in a 5.6 m2 gallery space, which relates to the spatial compactness of Leo’s designs. It is based on many years of research by the participants, and combines unpublished material from the architect’s archive at the Academy of Arts in Berlin with a sectional model, an animation film, and contemporary photographs that were made for the exhibition to investigate particular aspects of Leo’s work. The exhibition will be accompanied by tours and symposia. There will be a publication.
Text.- BARarchitekten.
Guest curators.- BARarchitekten and Gregor Harbusch.
Exhibition dates.- From 13th September to 27th October 2013.
Venue.- Galerie die raum, Oderberger Straße 56, 10435 Berlin.
Opening Hours.- Daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
