beyond your map

In Dessau, alongside the Bauhaus Building, Walter Gropius designed modular houses for Bauhaus masters with interlocking cubic structures and prefabricated components. Notable residents such as Gropius, Moholy-Nagy, Feininger, Kandinsky, and others contributed to the unique interiors. Following the Bauhaus closure in 1932, the houses were leased, and war damage prompted reconstruction efforts. The Kandinsky/Klee Master House, inhabited by artists Kandinsky and Klee, reopened in 2019 after a restoration funded by the Wüstenrot Foundation. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preservation project aimed to safeguard the Bauhaus legacy and offer visitors a sensory experience of the masters' artistic living and working environment.

The Fagus Factory, built in 1911 in Alfeld, Lower Saxony, is an early example of modernist architecture by Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer. Commissioned by Carl Benscheidt, the factory's founder, Gropius and Meyer redesigned the building, featuring a groundbreaking large glass façade with unsupported corners. Benscheidt was impressed, leading to exclusive collaboration with Gropius's firm. The main building and factory hall, designed for optimal lighting, reflect Benscheidt and Gropius's vision for an attractive working environment. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, the Fagus Factory is the world's only functioning site of this kind, open for daily visits, tours, and exhibitions.

The Zollverein Coal Mine Complex in Essen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, is a prime example of industrial culture. Designed by Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer, the central shaft facilities for Shaft XII, built between 1928 and 1932, are key components of the complex. The coal mine, known for its "most beautiful in the world" title, closed in 1986, and the coking plant ceased operations in 1993. The site underwent restoration, becoming the central anchor point of the Route of Industrial Heritage. Today, it hosts cultural, business, and educational facilities, including the Ruhr Museum, Red Dot Design Museum, and Folkwang University of the Arts. The transformation was guided by a master plan from Rem Koolhaas and featured contributions from Norman Foster and SANAA.

The Pavillon Le Corbusier, completed in 1967, is the final creation of architect Le Corbusier before his death. Commissioned by Heidi Weber, it serves as an exhibition space for Le Corbusier's life's work. Departing from his usual style, the building celebrates steel and modularity with a floating roof and colorful enamel panels. Initially conceived as a complete work of art, it also functions as a small home for Weber. The structure integrates with its surroundings through pivoting doors, windows, and a roof garden, showcasing Le Corbusier's shift from concrete to steel in its design.

The Monte Amiata Housing Development, built between 1967 and 1974, is an architectural manifesto for late 1960s social building theories. Coordinated by Carlo Aymonino with contributions from Aldo Rossi and Giovanni Amato, the project deviates from contextual ties, reviving historic city elements. Five interconnected structures, designed as a unified entity, create semi-public spaces, emphasizing communal living. Notable features include an open-air theatre and squares, terraces, and shopping spaces. Aymonino's dark constructions contrast with Aldo Rossi's pure white apartment building (1969-70), featuring shared balconies and inspired by traditional Lombard balconied dwellings.

The Tate Modern Project transformed the iconic museum, doubling gallery space and integrating diverse public areas. The design, with a pyramidal form, connects the museum to the South Bank, Southwark, and the Thames. The unique perforated brick façade, adaptable to daylight and night, creates an ever-changing visual experience. The expansion aligns with the museum's vision to redefine the model for modern and contemporary art institutions, enhancing its cultural and urban impact on London.

English National Ballet relocated to a purpose-built 93,000 sq ft center on London City Island designed by Glenn Howells Architects. The facility features distinctive translucent white cladding and includes seven rehearsal studios, learning spaces, and ENB School. The main production studio has a 10m x 16m stage space and a 25m tall fly tower. The design prioritizes flexibility and efficiency, utilizing raw materials like concrete and translucent glass. The ground floor serves as a vibrant circulation space with a public café and exhibition area. The facility enhances ENB's outreach and financial stability while contributing to founders' vision.

Trellick Tower, a 31-storey Brutalist building in London, was designed by Erno Goldfinger and completed in 1972. It has 217 flats, initially owned by the Greater London Council and later transferred to the local council. The tower faced social issues but gained popularity with 'right to buy.' In 1984, residents formed an association, leading to security improvements. Trellick Tower is now a local landmark, with private properties selling for varying prices. It also hosts television transmitters and was awarded Grade II listing in 1998.

Battersea Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, has undergone extensive restoration and redevelopment by WilkinsonEyre. The project retains iconic features like chimneys and turbine halls while adding retail spaces, restaurants, event venues, and residences. Apartments and converted units have been integrated, with the first residents moving in by May 2021. The Turbine Halls now serve as a vibrant retail destination, and the original Control Rooms are repurposed. The upper Boiler House hosts office spaces, with Apple as the major tenant. The Chimney Lift offers panoramic views, emphasizing historical preservation alongside modern functionality.

Designed by Richard Rogers and completed in 1986, the Lloyd’s of London Building is an expansion to accommodate the growing staff of the insurance company. Embracing a high-tech architectural style akin to the Centre Pompidou, the structure adopts an "inside-out" design, placing service functions on the exterior for easy maintenance. The three main towers, each with its service tower, encircle a central atrium. The open and flexible interior allows for reconfiguration with partition walls. Retaining part of the original façade, Rogers juxtaposed historic architecture with a modern, stainless steel-clad, and seemingly modular design, reflecting technological advances and functionality.