Part of:

People:

Alvaro Siza (archive creator)
Alvaro Siza (architect)

Title:

Kulturforum [Kulturforum], Berlin, Germany (1982-1986)

Date:

1982-2012

Level of archival description:
Project

Extent and medium:

161 drawings (including 96 reprographic copies)
139 photographic materials
0.07 l.m. of textual records

Scope and content:
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).

Reference number:

AP178.S1.1983.PR04

Arrangement:
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.