Available online
Description
At first the gigantic monumentalism of Behrens' work for A.E.G. between 1908 and 1914 may seem the opposite of the delicate glass envelope at Gropius' revolutionary Fagus Factory of 1911-14. But Ti...m Benton's detailed examination of these buildings defines the complex relationship and development between them. We note the degree to which Gropius was indebted to Behrens but see the extent of Gropius' inventiveness - especially in his handling of glass in the facades. By looking back to Behrens' and Gropius' interest in K.F. Schinkel (the early 19th century neoclassical architect) we can trace a continuity of classical architectural ideas through the still recognisable columns and pediments of Behrens to the less recognisable but still essentially classical forms of the Fagus Factory. Filmed in West Germany.
At first the gigantic monumentalism of Behrens' work for A.E.G. between 1908 and 1914 may seem the opposite of the delicate glass envelope at Gropius' revolutionary Fagus Factory of 1911-14. But Ti...m Benton's detailed examination of these buildings defines the complex relationship and development between them. We note the degree to which Gropius was indebted to Behrens but see the extent of Gropius' inventiveness - especially in his handling of glass in the facades. By looking back to Behrens' and Gropius' interest in K.F. Schinkel (the early 19th century neoclassical architect) we can trace a continuity of classical architectural ideas through the still recognisable columns and pediments of Behrens to the less recognisable but still essentially classical forms of the Fagus Factory. Filmed in West Germany.
| Module code and title: | A305, History of architecture and design 1890-1939 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A305; 04 |
| First transmission date: | 15-03-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nick Levinson |
| Contributor: | Tim Benton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | AEG factory; Factory buildings; FAGUS factory; Industrial architecture |
| Subject terms: | Architecture, Industrial--Germany; Behrens, Peter, 1868-1940; Schinkel, Karl Friedrich |
| Footage description: | Tim Benton introduces the programme, discussing industrial architecture in general terms and the clients, Emil Rathenan of AEG and Karl Benscheidt of Fagus, who commissioned the architects Behrens and Gropius respectively. Film of the outside of the Fagus factory in Alfield-am-der-Leine and of its valley situation. Shot of shoe lasts being produced on a lathe. Commentary and description of the AEG turbine factory built in 1908 on the Huttenstrasse site in Berlin. Interior and exterior shots. Drawing by K-F. Schinkel: The New Watch, 1816, for comparison. Detail of bastions and stanchions. Benton compares Behren's AEG motif on the facade of the Turbine Hall with the gothic style motif designed five years earlier by Franz. Schwechten. Film and discussion of the AEG buildings on the Brummenstrasse site: the High Tension factory and the Motors factory. Description of Behren's second Turbine Assemby Hall. The Fagus factory. Benton first shows Edward Werner's original design, and then the drawings of Gropius' revisions. He discusses, with film of the exterior of the building, Gropius' treatment of glass. He considers the treatment of floors and corners, and the entrance facade. Detail of entrance. Entering the building, Benton points out some of the interior details. Suiiming up, he contrasts Behrens' and Gropius' approaches to the problem of turning industrial buildings into architecture. |
| Master spool number: | HOU1346 |
| Production number: | 00525_3149 |
| Videofinder number: | 1748 |
| Available to public: | no |
