SOS Brutalism – Save the Concrete Monsters @ the Deutsches Architekturmuseum Frankfurt
Architects are always very keen to stress how they are working in the interests of society, for society. Often selflessly so.
Yet little polarises society quite like architecture.
And no architecture polarises quite like Brutalism.
Whereas in discourses on other architectural genres the middle ground is a place where those of moderate opinions can meet objectively and attempt to approach one another’s position: there are no Brutalism moderates.
With the exhibition SOS Brutalism – Save the Concrete Monsters, the Deutsches Architekturmuseum in Frankfurt becomes that objective middle ground and thereby enables a very welcome discussion on Brutalism, its origins and its legacy.
smow Blog Design Calendar: October 24th 1929 – Opening of the 2nd Congrès internationaux d’architecture moderne in Frankfurt
“The problem of the construction of affordable housing for the lowest earning sections of the population is currently a primary concern in almost all civilized countries.”
Thus invited the Congrès internationaux d’architecture moderne to their second congress, a three day event which opened on Thursday October 24th 1929 in the Palmengarten Frankfurt am Main, and which saw some of the leading protagonists of inter-war architecture discuss potential solutions for that most primary of concerns.
The success of the Frankfurt congress can perhaps be best summed up by the contemporary relevance of the invitation.
5 New Design Exhibitions for September 2017
The September architecture and design exhibition recommendations are arguably the cruellest to write: the fact that the majority of the exhibitions end in the depths of the European winter meaning that as we sit here hoping that summer keeps going just a little, little, longer…. we’re forced to think about winter jackets and gloves.
And so before things get that far, best get out there and visit an exhibition!! Our five recommendations for September 2017 feature new exhibitions in Weil am Rhein, Los Angeles, Utrecht, Frankfurt and Malmö…….
5 New Design Exhibitions for June 2017
In northern hemispheres June marks the start of both astronomical and meteorological summer.
In southern hemispheres June marks the start of both astronomical and meteorological winter.
The one rejoices, the other laments …. and we don’t even notice, far too busy as we are perusing architecture and design exhibitions. Our five recommendations for June 2017 features new shows in Den Haag, Frankfurt, New York, Leipzig and Brussels.
smow Song Contest 2017
It’s early May and once again the party ship we call the smow song contest is ready to set sail……
smow Blog Interview: Thomas Gerber, CEO Wilde+Spieth – A good chair is an important part of ensuring professional orchestra musicians remain fit and enjoy themselves
In our post The Sedentary Workers: Orchestra Musicians we explored the unique world of orchestra musicians’ chairs. One of Europe’s largest, and most experienced, manufacturers of orchestra and musicians’ chairs is Esslingen based Wilde+Spieth. Who thus seemed an ideal address to learn more about the orchestra chair and the orchestra chair market…..
The Sedentary Workers: Orchestra Musicians
Although the evidence is not, yet, conclusive, recent years have seen an increasing confidence in the theory that sitting for too long can have a negative impact on health, and that all whose job involves prolonged sitting should regularly stand, move and generally change their body position.
But what about those workers who can’t? What about those workers whose job is defined by long periods of sitting?
smow Blog Design Calendar: February 24th 1893 – Happy Birthday Christian Dell!
The German designer and silversmith Christian Dell is arguably best known for the numerous lighting designs he realised during the 1920s and 1930s.
Christian Dell was however also one of the pioneers of plastic design. If all too briefly.
Ambiente Frankfurt 2017 Compact: Vicara
Ambiente Frankfurt 2017 allowed an all to seldom reunião with Portuguese brand Vicara. And an occasion which served to remind us that we really should catch up with them more often…..
Ambiente Frankfurt 2017 Compact: Bouillon
Amongst all the fake flavours at Ambiente Frankfurt 2017 the Umami of Japanese design studio Bouillon was a genuine delight.
smow Blog Design Calendar: January 22nd 1898 – Happy Birthday Ferdinand Kramer!
The German architect and designer Ferdinand Kramer didn’t just translate the new principles of construction and design which arose in the inter-war years into his architecture, furniture and industrial designs, he was also a very eloquent writer on such matters, and thus helped, and continues to help, explain the motivations behind, and fascination with, functionalist ideals.
Light + Building Frankfurt 2016: High Five!
As the name implies the Light + Building Trade Fair in Frankfurt is largely about architectural lighting rather than domestic
Lost Furniture Design Classics: Rondella Lamp by Christian Dell
In his Letter of Reference for Christian Dell on the occasion of his departure from the Kunsthochschule Frankfurt, the school’s
Ambiente Frankfurt 2016: High Five!
As a “consumer goods” trade fair devoted to tableware, accessories, gifts, light-bulbs with filigree filaments, and the like, Ambiente Frankfurt
Ambiente Frankfurt 2016: Feinserie
In our interview with Marcel Kabisch, founder of and creative force behind German label Feinserie, he told us that what
Creative Frankfurt: Kai Linke
Internationally known for its financial district, airport, financial institutions and sausages, Frankfurt am Main is less well understood as a
smow blog 2015. A pictorial review: December
December is famously a half month – no one does anything useful in the second half of the month, unless
smow blog 2015. A pictorial review: September
The end of design’s summer hibernation is traditionally marked by the opening of the Vitra Design Museum’s winter exhibition, which
Line Form Function. The Buildings of Ferdinand Kramer @ the Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt
Following on from the exploration of Ferdinand Kramer’s design work in the exhibition The Kramer Principle: Design for Variable Use
5 New Design Exhibitions for November 2015
In the complete interview with Matylda Krzykowski ahead of the Depot Basel exhibition Forum for an Attitude, there is a
Vitra Frankfurt present Ampelphase 7: Sehnsucht
If form follows function, what form does, could, should yearning and longing have? If architects are continually searching for a
Tendence Frankfurt 2015: Flechtgestaltung – Diana Stegmann
If we’re completely honest, until now the only piece of wickerwork about which we have ever gotten truly excited is
Tendence Frankfurt 2015: Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe present Old World – New World
We’ve said it so often that even we are somewhat tired of hearing it, but….. Portugal has lots of cork.
Tendence Frankfurt 2015: Horse by Jakub Gurecký
In 1960 Enzo Mari designed “16 Animali” for Italian manufacturer Danese. Comprising 16 wooden animal shapes “16 Animali” is simultaneously
Tendence Frankfurt 2015: Ra(in)water by Marcelo Caetano
The very first piece of product design George Nelson realised was inspired by architecture. The typical American family home in