The project series documents the 1983 design entry for the Kulturforum. While the records were held in the office’s archives this project was assigned the number 21/80. The office assigned the date 1983 for this project. This project was a competition entry for the International Architectural Exhibition Berlin competition (International Bauaustellung, IBA, circa 1979-1987), an urban renewal strategy for West Berlin, Germany. Siza also submitted five other entries to the IBA: Görtlitzer Bad swimming pool; Block 70 and 89 (Fränkelufer residential complex); Bonjour Tristesse (Block 121); Block 11-12; and Monument to Gestapo victims.
The Kulturforum was a complex of cultural buildings. The site underwent many changes during Nazi Germany and post-war with the construction of the National Library of Staatsbibliothek, designed by Hans Scharoun. Two examples of features that the IBA asked participants to include in their design proposals were to exclude vehicle traffic between the library and national gallery, and to reinterpret the Forum space.
Documenting this project are several sketches and studies. There are also plans, elevations, and axonometric drawings of site plans. Siza’s office has indicated on some of the studies that they were possibly not created by Siza. Where this is the case it has been noted with the physical material. Photographs and negatives document the competition site and model, and there are transparencies and slides of drawings. Also included is textual documentation on the competition site and a few letters from members of the Berlin Senate, two of which are from Brigitte Cassirer (later Brigitte Fleck).
Material in this series was arranged by Álvaro Siza’s office and has been kept in this order.
Location
Berlin
Germany
Credit line
When citing the collection as a whole, use the citation: Álvaro Siza fonds, Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal. When citing specific collection material, please refer to the object’s specific credit line.
Language of material
English,
German
Related units of description
Sketches for the Kulturforum are also included in Siza's sketchbooks found in series AP178.S2 of this fonds. Of note are sketchbooks 146, 147, 151, 153, and 154.
Title: Studies, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 1 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum estudos Arq. Siza. Includes note from Siza's office: 27.e. estudos todos Arq Siza? Conferir, e. 13. estudos Arq. Siza conferir + 2 - sobre copia papel.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
1 ink drawing on translucent paper, 2 reprographic copies on paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (lagest): 35 x 21 cm
Sheet (smallest): 28 x 24 cm
Arrangement:
This file is housed in three separate folders: AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.1, AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.2, and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.3
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Title: Studies, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 2 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 2
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum estudos Arq. Siza. Includes note from Siza's office: 27.e. estudos todos Arq Siza? Conferir, e. 13. estudos Arq. Siza conferir + 2 - sobre copia papel.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
Approximately 42 pencil drawings on translucent paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 84 x 59 cm|Sheet (smallest): 60 x 41 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and third portions of this file are found in folder AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.3
Title: Studies, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 3 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum estudos Arq. Siza. Includes note from Siza's office: 27.e. estudos todos Arq Siza? Conferir, e. 13. estudos Arq. Siza conferir + 2 - sobre copia papel.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
7 ink and pencil drawings on translucent paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 110 x 79 cm|Sheet (smallest): 84 x 59 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and second portions of this file are found in folder AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.002.2
Title: Studies, elevations, site surveys, and plans, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 1 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum matriz/estudos.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
8 pencil and ink drawings on translucent paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 77 x 59 cm|Sheet (smallest): 60 x 42 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The second and third portions of this file are found in folder AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.2 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.3
Title: Studies, elevations, site surveys, and plans, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 2 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum matriz/estudos.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 pencil and ink drawings on translucent paper
1 reprographic copy on paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 114 x 61 cm|Sheet (smallest): 78 x 75 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and third portions of this file are found in folder AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.3
Title: Studies, elevations, site surveys, and plans, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 3 of 3)
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum matriz/estudos.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
1 pencil drawing on translucent paper, 1 reprographic copy on paper
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 122 x 100 cm|Sheet (smallest): 109 x 100 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and second portions of this file are found in folder AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.004.2
Siza's office numbered photographic materials in this file K 001-018. Photographs were taken by Alberto Placido. An added note suggests that photographs were used in "As cidades de A. Siza", November 20, 2001.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
20 strips of 120 medium format slide film
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Title: Competition documentation and drawings, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 1 of 3)
Dates of creation: 1982 - 1986
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum (só material).
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
7 reprographic copies on paper, other materials
Dimensions:
Sheet: 21 x 32 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The second and third portions of this file are found in folders AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.2 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.3
Title: Competition documentation and drawings, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 2 of 3)
Dates of creation: 1982-1986
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum (só material).
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 reprographic copies on paper, other materials
Dimensions:
Sheet: 21 x 32 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and third portions of this file are found in folders AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.3
Title: Competition documentation and drawings, Kulturforum, Berlin (folder 3 of 3)
Dates of creation: 1982-1986
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
Álvaro Siza (archive creator)
Description:
Original file title: Kulturforum (só material).
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
29 reprographic copies on paper, other materials
Dimensions:
Sheet: 21 x 32 cm
Credit line:
Álvaro Siza fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don d’Álvaro Siza/
Gift of Álvaro Siza
Related units of description:
This file is housed in three separate folders. The first and second portions of this file are found in folders AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.1 and AP178.S1.1983.PR04.014.2