Grun: Gunter Grzimek: Planning, Design. Program

Günther Grzimek was a landscape architect who advocated for a new form of urban green space in Germany, a "demokratisches Grün" (democratic green space), and campaigned for practice-oriented training in landscape architecture. His biography offers a wellspring of new discoveries and traverses the history of modern Germany, encompassing his collaborations with famous architects, town planners, and designers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Hirmer Verlag

One of the most renowned projects created by the landscape architect Günther Grzimek (1915–1996) is the Olympiapark in Munich. However, his entire body of work has proven to be groundbreaking and enduring. He advocated for a novel type of urban green space in Germany, known as a "demokratisches Grün" (democratic green space), while also promoting practice-oriented training in landscape architecture.

Grzimek's biography provides a wealth of fresh insights. It spans the history of modern Germany and encompasses his collaborations with renowned architects, town planners, and designers, including Otl Aicher, who collaborated with Grzimek on the basic outline of this volume in the 1980s. This comprehensive new book offers a vivid and in-depth encounter with this major innovator and showcases the lively history of landscape architecture in Germany, from the 1930s in Berlin to the 1990s in Munich.

The Olympiapark in Munich is a testament to Grzimek's visionary ideas and his commitment to creating sustainable and functional spaces. The park is renowned for its innovative design, which incorporates natural elements into the urban landscape. Grzimek's emphasis on the importance of green spaces in cities and his advocacy for democratic access to these spaces have had a lasting impact on the field of landscape architecture.

Grzimek's biography also sheds light on his personal life and career. He was born in Berlin in 1915 and studied at the Technical University of Berlin. After working for several architectural firms, he founded his own practice in 1948. Grzimek's work was influenced by his experiences during World War II, which saw the destruction of much of Berlin. He was committed to creating spaces that would be resilient and sustainable, and his designs often reflected this commitment.

Throughout his career, Grzimek worked on a wide range of projects, including public parks, residential developments, and commercial buildings. He was particularly known for his work on the Olympic Park in Munich, which was completed in 1972. The park is a masterpiece of modern landscape architecture, and it is widely considered to be one of the most important works of the 20th century.

Grzimek's legacy continues to inspire landscape architects and urban planners around the world. His emphasis on the importance of green spaces in cities and his commitment to creating sustainable and functional spaces have shaped the way century. His biography offers a valuable insight into the life and work of this remarkable architect, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and future of landscape architecture.

Weight: 1506g
Dimension: 297 x 251 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783777440187