#Multifunctional building #Luckenwalde #Germany #1927
Hans Graf, Rudolf Brennecke, Paul Backes
Grünstraße 14; Theaterstraße 15A
14943
Luckenwalde,
Germany
Public transport: Grünstraße
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: Theatre and school
Description
The complex is unique in Germany in that a school and a theatre were designed as a single, functionally integrated building. Because the theatre also serves as the school's assembly hall, the auditorium has windows as an unusual feature for a theatre.
The school consists of a long, four-storey main building. The windows of each classroom are combined into continuous horizontal bands, allowing generous amounts of natural light to enter the rooms. While the horizontal emphasis of the façade is reinforced by cornices marking each floor, this is contrasted by the striking vertical astronomical tower. The tower serves as the main entrance, houses the main staircase, and is accentuated by a clock, a flagpole, and an observation terrace with a railing. In front of the tower, two lower wings are arranged in a stepped composition, the lowest of which contains the gymnasium. The middle wing is used also for class rooms and is a extansion to the northeast.
The theatre follows the same architectural language but features fewer exterior windows. The two stairwells flanking the main entrance are distinguished by prominent vertical ribbon windows. The blue-painted railings and metal cladding create a vivid contrast with the building's red rendered façades.
Description
The complex is unique in Germany in that a school and a theatre were designed as a single, functionally integrated building. Because the theatre also serves as the school's assembly hall, the auditorium has windows as an unusual feature for a theatre.
The school consists of a long, four-storey main building. The windows of each classroom are combined into continuous horizontal bands, allowing generous amounts of natural light to enter the rooms. While the horizontal emphasis of the façade is reinforced by cornices marking each floor, this is contrasted by the striking vertical astronomical tower. The tower serves as the main entrance, houses the main staircase, and is accentuated by a clock, a flagpole, and an observation terrace with a railing. In front of the tower, two lower wings are arranged in a stepped composition, the lowest of which contains the gymnasium. The middle wing is used also for class rooms and is a extansion to the northeast.
The theatre follows the same architectural language but features fewer exterior windows. The two stairwells flanking the main entrance are distinguished by prominent vertical ribbon windows. The blue-painted railings and metal cladding create a vivid contrast with the building's red rendered façades.
History
From an architectural perspective, the two buildings are organically integrated into a single complex. The city had already planned to build a new school before 1914, but financial difficulties delayed the project until it was revived in 1924.
The resulting design incorporated the theatre as a flexible, multi-purpose space. The school was provided with an assembly hall that could also serve as a public theatre, allowing the city to reduce construction costs.
As the project was promoted by the Social Democratic Party, the school was named after Friedrich Ebert, the first President of the Weimar Republic.
Construction took place between 1927 and 1930, and the school complex was officially inaugurated on 7 and 8 August 1930. Just over a month later, on 29 September 1930, the theatre opened with a performance of the operetta Die Fledermaus (The Bat).
After the Nazis came to power in 1933, the school was renamed. In 1944, it was even converted into a facility serving the armaments industry. Following the Second World War, the building was used by the Soviet Red Army as an officers' club. From 1952 onwards, it once again served as a school. In 1990, its original name was restored, and today it is once again known as the Friedrich Ebert School.
History
From an architectural perspective, the two buildings are organically integrated into a single complex. The city had already planned to build a new school before 1914, but financial difficulties delayed the project until it was revived in 1924.
The resulting design incorporated the theatre as a flexible, multi-purpose space. The school was provided with an assembly hall that could also serve as a public theatre, allowing the city to reduce construction costs.
As the project was promoted by the Social Democratic Party, the school was named after Friedrich Ebert, the first President of the Weimar Republic.
Construction took place between 1927 and 1930, and the school complex was officially inaugurated on 7 and 8 August 1930. Just over a month later, on 29 September 1930, the theatre opened with a performance of the operetta Die Fledermaus (The Bat).
After the Nazis came to power in 1933, the school was renamed. In 1944, it was even converted into a facility serving the armaments industry. Following the Second World War, the building was used by the Soviet Red Army as an officers' club. From 1952 onwards, it once again served as a school. In 1990, its original name was restored, and today it is once again known as the Friedrich Ebert School.
Sources
Sources
