Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Villa Wolf in Gubin: History and Reconstruction

Villa Wolf, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's first modern building, was destroyed during the Second World War and in the post-war period. This volume presents the history of the building and documents the recent excavation of the basement and reconstruction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2023
Publisher: DOM Publishers

Villa Wolf, located in Guben (now Gubin), was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's inaugural foray into modern architecture, constructed between 1925 and 1927. This residential building tragically met its demise at the conclusion of the Second World War and in the immediate post-war period. Mies van der Rohe, renowned for his visionary glass skyscrapers and concrete structures, adhered to conventional architectural practices for an extended period. However, with Villa Wolf, he presented a groundbreaking reimagining of the upper-class residential structure. This architectural masterpiece featured an open, diagonal layout of rooms on the garden side, juxtaposed with the cubic-towered sections housing utility rooms and bedrooms. While the reception of Villa Wolf was somewhat overshadowed by the immense success of Mies van der Rohe's subsequent buildings, including the German Pavilion in Barcelona (1928-1929) and Villa Tugendhat in Brno (1929-1930), this volume serves as a comprehensive historical account of Villa Wolf in Gubin. Furthermore, it documents the recent excavation of the basement and the meticulous graphic reconstruction that forms the foundation for the future reconstruction of this architectural gem.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 242 x 232 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783869228198