Die Gewandhausgalerie
Bauhaus University Weimar ***Diploma
Design and Theory of Building Types, Prof. K.-H. Schmitz
Summer 2007
The Gewandhausgalerie was generated from historical aspects of the site and in the important context of the famous baroque 'Frauenkirche' and the Johanneum at the Neumarkt in the city of Dresden. In the difficult environment of mindless reconstruction after the reunion of Germany in 1990, the Gallery offers a sensitive combination of baroque traditions like symmetry, a large central staircase as well as the visibility of tectonic elements and contemporary values like modern materiality or a minimal plasticity of the facade. The Building hosts four restaurants, some small shops and a large gallery. The Latter accommodates a cafe, bookshop and auditorium as well as specifically designed exhibition spaces for graphics, sculpture and canvas.
Model of the Site
View from northeast
The historical centre of Dresden with its many courtyards
Urban section: The Gallery provides a 2 storey gate to the yard behind
Section: The Gallery interacts with the city as well as with the yard
Groundfloor: Provides a public footpath to the courtyards
1st Floor: Restaurants as well as in the groundfloor
2nd Floor: Entrance to the Gallery with its long foyer
3rd Floor: Exhibitions rooms and the balkony of sculptures
4th floor: 3 equal sky lighted exhibition halls for canvas'
The public foyer on the 1st extends the square into the the building
The foyer on the 2nd provides a cafe, a bookshop and an auditorium
The 'Balkony of Sculpures' on the 3rd offers some fantastic views
The front facade shows the gate and the openess of an urban gallery ...
and is in harmonisation with the proportions of the neighbourhood
Cement model of the facade
Street view from northwest
Many tourists enjoy this view from the top of the 'Frauenkirche'