Reconstruction of Dresden's Neumarkt (New Market)

[Tiaren]

The photo was made at the end of Louisenstraße in the Neustadt of Dresden.

[Dr.Seltsam]

Tiaren...these pictures are simply amazing! Thank you!

[durden5573]

Whats happening on Hauptstrasse? It looks like they are tearing down some of the old commie blocks, any plans on what they are rebuilding there?

[goschio]

Dresden in snow is just lovely.

[Го́голь]

Originally Posted by durden5573

Whats happening on Hauptstrasse? It looks like they are tearing down some of the old commie blocks, any plans on what they are rebuilding there?

http://www.neustaedtermarkt.de/

Time for a topic on the Neustädter Markt?

[Kampflamm]

Another one of my own pics of Rampische Straße...possible someday the most beautiful street in Dresden?

image hosted on flickr

[Tiaren]

Originally Posted by Го́голь

http://www.neustaedtermarkt.de/

Time for a topic on the Neustädter Markt?

Would be a rather depressing topic, since there are no actual plans to reconstruct anything there.

[keepthepast]

Originally Posted by Tiaren

Would be a rather depressing topic, since there are no actual plans to reconstruct anything there.

As I understand it, much planning and drawings have been completed that recreate the baroque Hauptstrasse and nearby streets and lanes. However, the stumbing block is, once again, the modernist architects who are fighting any approvals to move forward with the reconstruction of the former houses and look of the area.

[johol903]

Originally Posted by keepthepast

As I understand it, much planning and drawings have been completed that recreate the baroque Hauptstrasse and nearby streets and lanes. However, the stumbing block is, once again, the modernist architects who are fighting any approvals to move forward with the reconstruction of the former houses and look of the area.

I have never understood the modernist urge to bury the past. Why can't they be content with building modernist buildings where no buildings have been before? Ah, well...

On a happier note: Those pictures of Dresden in snow were fantastic!

[oldcenterfan]

Originally Posted by johol903

I have never understood the modernist urge to bury the past. Why can't they be content with building modernist buildings where no buildings have been before? Ah, well...

On a happier note: Those pictures of Dresden in snow were fantastic!

it's for prestige! Architect want demonstrate their talent and let a imprint in memory.

[durden5573]

Originally Posted by johol903

I have never understood the modernist urge to bury the past. Why can't they be content with building modernist buildings where no buildings have been before? Ah, well...

On a happier note: Those pictures of Dresden in snow were fantastic!

Couldn't agree more, i love modern buildings and architecture, but there are plenty of places for them - a historic blvd which could be beautifully restored is not one of those places! I'm eager to see what happens here.

[Tiaren]

As there are no construction updates, again a beautiful picture of Dresden this winter:

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomass...n/photostream/

[keepthepast]

Kurt Vonnegut first laid eyes on Dresden in the winter of 1944/45. It was a heavy snow year, and he said it looked like "a fairy tale land of beauty".

[wolfpaw]

Originally Posted by keepthepast

However, the stumbing block is, once again, the modernist architects who are fighting any approvals to move forward with the reconstruction of the former houses and look of the area.

Why don't they just piss off and find some other city to wreck

[Tiaren]

Panoramic webcam view over the Neumarkt area:
http://panorama.dresden.de/

[keepthepast]

Originally Posted by wolfpaw

Why don't they just piss off and find some other city to wreck

They won't go away because they, like so many professions, have been taught and trained to be selfish in their pursuits of their own beliefs, goals, and biases. Architects should praise the opportunity to use their craft to rebuild the historic structures and rebirth a once great city. However, the modernists feel they are just mimmicking others' designs and work; to an extent this is true, but that's the point they simply cannot comprehend. They'd rather utilize a premier location to put their own image of reality, and the historic value be damned.

[wolfpaw]

Originally Posted by keepthepast

They won't go away because they, like so many professions, have been taught and trained to be selfish in their pursuits of their own beliefs, goals, and biases. Architects should praise the opportunity to use their craft to rebuild the historic structures and rebirth a once great city. However, the modernists feel they are just mimmicking others' designs and work; to an extent this is true, but that's the point they simply cannot comprehend. They'd rather utilize a premier location to put their own image of reality, and the historic value be damned.

I agree. It seems that they cannot stand the thought of returning to an earlier style. Something I don't understand is why so much 'modernist' architecture is almost exactly the same as the stuff that was being thrown up 50 years ago! Where is the evolution?? Where is the development?? Apart from a few avant-garde architects all that's being produced are almost carbon copies of the sort of crap that sprung up across Europe after WW2 i.e. slabs of square blocks and concrete rectangles with some big windows shoved in them. For me, modernism crossed an architectural Rubicon from which there is neither any turning back or any route forwards. It's just a complete nightmare. If people praise the reconstruction of historic facades in Dresden it's only because the alternatives are so pitiful. I assume that after the damage caused to the city by the Seven Years War the town was rebuilt in the latest style. The problem today is that the 'latest style' is just the same old insipid trash from 50 years ago.

[SonOfThomp]

Originally Posted by wolfpaw

Something I don't understand is why so much 'modernist' architecture is almost exactly the same as the stuff that was being thrown up 50 years ago! Where is the evolution?? Where is the development??The problem today is that the 'latest style' is just the same old insipid trash from 50 years ago.

Well stated, and a much more civil tone than I could be trusted to use.
Rebuilding a street in baroque style but with a modernist (or post-modernist, for that matter) structure thrown in here and there is like pouring sugar in your beer.

There should be selected areas that are absolutely off limits to modernist architecture.

[sattar]

Originally Posted by Kampflamm

A true masterpiece. They just don't build 'em like that anymore (except in Dresden ).

I like Germany so I want to have visit there in next year because my brothers wife live there
dresden is beautiful

[wolfpaw]

Whenever I see photos of these reconstructed facades going up I'm always amazed at the sheer gumption it took to decide to rebuild after so many years. Does anyone know exactly how it came about and who was ultimately responsible?