5.2 Expressionism in architecture: concepts and notable examples

Expressionism in architecture was a bold movement that emerged in early 20th century Germany. It rejected traditional styles, embracing emotional and dynamic forms to evoke powerful responses. Architects like Mendelsohn and Taut pushed boundaries with organic shapes and innovative materials.

Notable examples like the Einstein Tower and Glass Pavilion showcased Expressionism's key features. These buildings used curved forms, crystalline structures, and unconventional materials to create immersive spaces that blurred the line between art and architecture.

Pioneers of Expressionist Architecture

Key Figures in Early Expressionism

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  “Alpine Architecture”: an Utopian City by Bruno Taut (1917) – SOCKS View original

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  Hans Poelzig’s Sulphuric Acid Factory in Luboń, Poland (1911-1912) – SOCKS View original

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Top images from around the web for Key Figures in Early Expressionism

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  Hans Poelzig’s Sulphuric Acid Factory in Luboń, Poland (1911-1912) – SOCKS View original

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  The Light in Architecture: Eric Mendelsohn’s Photographic Expressionism | nonsite.org View original

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  “Alpine Architecture”: an Utopian City by Bruno Taut (1917) – SOCKS View original

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  Hans Poelzig’s Sulphuric Acid Factory in Luboń, Poland (1911-1912) – SOCKS View original

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  The Light in Architecture: Eric Mendelsohn’s Photographic Expressionism | nonsite.org View original

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• Erich Mendelsohn designed the Einstein Tower, an astronomical observatory that exemplified Expressionist principles with its curved, organic forms and use of reinforced concrete
• Bruno Taut, known for his utopian visions and use of glass, designed the Glass Pavilion for the Cologne Werkbund Exhibition in 1914, which featured a prismatic dome made entirely of glass
• Hans Poelzig, an influential architect and set designer, designed the Großes Schauspielhaus theater in Berlin, which featured a cavernous, stalactite-like interior that evoked emotional responses
• Rudolf Steiner, a philosopher and esotericist, designed the Goetheanum, a cultural center for the anthroposophical movement that showcased organic, sculptural forms and the use of unconventional materials like concrete and wood

Contributions to Expressionist Theory and Practice

• Erich Mendelsohn's sketches and drawings, particularly his "Dynamism Series," influenced the development of Expressionist architecture by emphasizing fluid, dynamic forms and the concept of "frozen music"
• Bruno Taut's theoretical writings, such as "Alpine Architecture" and "The City Crown," advocated for utopian, glass-based architecture that would inspire spiritual uplift and social reform
• Hans Poelzig's set designs for films like "The Golem" and "Metropolis" brought Expressionist aesthetics to a wider audience and influenced the visual language of German Expressionist cinema
• Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical teachings, which emphasized the spiritual dimension of art and architecture, inspired a unique branch of Expressionist architecture that sought to embody esoteric principles

Iconic Expressionist Buildings

Einstein Tower (1919-1924)

• Designed by Erich Mendelsohn in Potsdam, Germany as an astronomical observatory
• Features a curved, organic form that resembles a sculptural abstraction, reflecting the Expressionist interest in emotional and dynamic architecture
• Constructed using reinforced concrete, a modern material that allowed for greater formal experimentation and plasticity
• Represents a synthesis of scientific function and artistic expression, with its form derived from the study of light and the universe

Glass Pavilion (1914)

• Designed by Bruno Taut for the Cologne Werkbund Exhibition as a showcase for the German glass industry
• Features a prismatic glass dome composed of rhomboid panes, creating a crystalline, faceted structure that reflects and refracts light
• Embodies Taut's vision of a utopian, transparent architecture that would dissolve boundaries between interior and exterior space
• Represents the Expressionist fascination with the spiritual and transformative potential of glass as a building material

Großes Schauspielhaus (1919)

• Designed by Hans Poelzig as a theater in Berlin, Germany
• Features a cavernous, grotto-like interior with stalactite-like forms hanging from the ceiling, creating an immersive and emotionally charged space
• Exemplifies the Expressionist interest in organic, biomorphic forms and the creation of atmospheric, experiential spaces
• Represents Poelzig's innovative approach to theater design, which sought to break from traditional proscenium staging and engage the audience more directly

Goetheanum (1924-1928)

• Designed by Rudolf Steiner as a cultural center for the anthroposophical movement in Dornach, Switzerland
• Features a sculptural, organic form constructed from reinforced concrete, with a double-shell dome and curving, asymmetrical volumes
• Embodies Steiner's anthroposophical principles, which sought to create a spiritually infused architecture that reflected the human body and soul
• Represents a unique synthesis of Expressionist aesthetics and esoteric philosophy, with its form and details derived from Steiner's spiritual teachings

Expressionist Art Movements

Die Brücke (The Bridge)

• Founded in Dresden, Germany in 1905 by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and Fritz Bleyl
• Emphasized raw, emotive expression through bold colors, distorted forms, and rough brushwork
• Drew inspiration from primitive art, medieval woodcuts, and the urban experience of modern life
• Influenced the development of Expressionist architecture through its emphasis on emotional intensity and breaking from traditional artistic conventions

Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)

• Founded in Munich, Germany in 1911 by Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and others
• Explored the spiritual dimensions of art through abstraction, color symbolism, and the integration of music and painting
• Drew inspiration from folk art, children's art, and the natural world
• Influenced the development of Expressionist architecture through its emphasis on the expressive potential of color, form, and the synthesis of the arts

Characteristics of Expressionist Architecture

Emotional Architecture

• Expressionist architects sought to create buildings that evoked strong emotional responses and communicated inner feelings and experiences
• Emphasized the psychological and spiritual dimensions of architecture, rather than purely functional or aesthetic concerns
• Used dynamic, expressive forms, colors, and materials to create immersive, atmospheric spaces that engaged the senses and emotions
• Examples include the cavernous interior of Poelzig's Großes Schauspielhaus and the sculptural, organic forms of Mendelsohn's Einstein Tower

Organic Forms

• Expressionist architecture often featured curving, organic forms that resembled natural shapes and structures
• Rejected the straight lines and geometric forms of traditional architecture in favor of more fluid, dynamic, and asymmetrical compositions
• Reflected the influence of Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, and the biomorphic forms of Expressionist painting and sculpture
• Examples include the undulating facade of Mendelsohn's Einsteinturm and the anthropomorphic volumes of Steiner's Goetheanum

Crystalline Structures

• Expressionist architects also explored the use of angular, faceted forms that resembled crystals or geological formations
• Reflected the influence of Cubist and Futurist art, as well as the Expressionist fascination with the spiritual and transformative properties of glass
• Used modern materials like glass and concrete to create prismatic, light-filled structures that dissolved boundaries between interior and exterior space
• Examples include Taut's Glass Pavilion and the angular, faceted forms of Hans Scharoun's Schminke House (1933) in Löbau, Germany