Detached Two-Family Residence, 1932: Entrance elevation, 1:50 1932

Editor: This elevation drawing, "Detached Two-Family Residence, 1932" by Hanns Dustmann, renders a simple, boxy structure. The precision is striking, yet there’s also something cold and impersonal about it. What social ideals do you think were at play in this design? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this in the context of the Weimar Republic, a period of intense social and political upheaval. This austere design likely reflects a desire for functional, affordable housing for the masses, a move away from the ornamentation of the pre-war era. Editor: So it's a visual representation of broader social changes? Curator: Precisely. The lack of frills speaks to a certain egalitarianism, a rejection of class-based aesthetics. But it also raises questions about standardization, and who gets to define "good" design for the working class. Editor: I never considered the politics embedded in architectural design before! Curator: Architecture isn't just about shelter; it's about power, access, and shaping social norms. Analyzing the choices made here helps us unpack the values of the time.