Title & Author:

Redefining Urban Quality / [presented by] Rob Krier.

Publication:

London, England : Pidgeon Digital, 1982.

Description:

1 online resource (1 video file (22 minutes)) : sound, color

Notes:
Rob Krier -- Elements Of Architecture: Wall; Column; Columns & Roof; House; Interior, City -- Plan Of S. Friefrichstadt, Berlin -- Ritterstrasse, Berlin; Schinkelplatz At Top -- Schinkelplatz : 3D Block Plan; Sketches For Residential Accommodation -- Ritterstrasse Low Cost Housing: Perspective; Photos From Front & Back; Plans Of Typical Duplexes -- Pragerplatz, Berlin: General Perspective; Interior Sketches -- Karlsruhe: Central Area Market Place -- Karlsruhe: Ideas For Space Above Car Park -- Karlsruhe Library: Plan, Interiors; Sections & Elevations.

Summary:

Architect Rob Krier, born and reared in Luxembourg and later Munich, has taken Austrian nationality and, since 1976, practised in Vienna where he is also a Professor and Dean in the Technical University. His book "Stadtraum In Theorie & Praxis" in 1975, analysing urban space systems, brought him instant recognition. His main goal is the establishment of articulated space in cities. He seeks to reproduce the quality of public life of older cities which he misses in modern cities; and to rediscover the essence, scale, architectural organisation and geometry of the house in relation to itself and to the city. In his talk he adds that he wants to build in such a simple way that the man in the street can understand what he is doing. Work on low-cost housing is, for him, the most fulfilling as it concerns people's everyday life. Though he uses classical categories in defining urban spaces - squares, courtyards, porticoes, streets - he rejects utterly fashions or isms in architecture. Historical spatial experience is introduced as a new concept - for example, in the Ritterstrasse housing. In a short statement in German at the end of the talk he despairs of the ugliness of modern cities. But he is dedicated to the struggle for truth and beauty and finds solace in his sculpture and beautiful drawings, some of which are shown in these images.

Subject:

Architectural design.
City planning.
Design architectural.

Added entries:

Krier, Rob, narrator.