At present,architectural modernity can no longer be defined in terms of stylistic,formal,or intrinsically architectural criteria.Today,architrcture must be modern in a social sense--or it is not modern at all.

The book also features twenty-five projects spanning the period from 1990 to the present as well as ten architects' firms that have been instrumental in shaping the German architectural landscape since the sixties--both groups selected by a German and an international jury--and thus provides both a comprehensive portrait of contemporary German architecture and a survey of the most important recent architectural currents.

If new German architecture truly reflects something of the zeitgeist, if it is--to cite Friedrich Nietzsche--architecture suited to the new German soul, then the selection of architectural works presented in this volume emphasizes one thing above all: we have now entered an era that has no more "great narratives" (Francois Lyotard). New German architecture cannot be described in terms of formal or programmatic schemes, schools, tendencies, or clear lines of tradition.It responds to the challenges of society, not with a distinctive style but by taking positions. Not only does this apparent "obscurity" (Jurgen Habermas) mark the end of grand ideologies, it is also the expression of a specific form of heightened cultural consciousness. It is moderate and restrained, thoughtfully self-assured, and non-dogmatic. New German architecture is an architecture of self-critical Reflexive Modernism.

What is new German architecture? What is its character? Such renowned authors as Wilfried Dechau, Christian Holl,Ernst Hubeli, Wolfgang Kil, Wolfgang Pehnt, Hanno Rauterberg, Andreas Ruby, UIIrich Schwarz, Werner Sewing,Dietmar M. Steiner, and others offer answers to these extraordinarily complex questions. The book also features twenty-five projects spanning the period from 1990 to the present as well as ten architects' firms that have been instrumental in shaping the German architectural landscape since the sixties--both groups selected by a German and an international jury--and thus provides both a comprehensive portrait of contemporary German architecture and a survey of the most important recent architectural currents.

Greetings

New German Architecture

A Reflexive Modernism

Ullrich Schwarz

New German Architecture--An Exhibition

Ullrich Schwarz

A Reflexive Modernism:

Perspectives of Architecture at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Ernst Hubeli

Architecture That Steps Forth from the Shadows:

Architectural Play in the New Media World

New German Architecture

25 Projects

Herz Jesu Kirche, Munich

Biosphere and BUGA Flower Hall 2001, Potsdam

Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Berliner Bogen Office Building, Hamburg

Elementary and Comprehensive School, Berlin-Hohenschenhausen

Day-Care Center, Berlin-Karow

RWE Tower, Essen

Engelhardt Hof, Berlin

DaimlerOhrysler Building, Potsdamer Platz 1, Berlin

Haus der Stille--Temporary Monastery, Meschede

School and Gymnasium in Scharnhauser Park, Ostfildern

Upper Vocational School for Social Insurance Education, Berlin-KSpenick

Senior Citizens' Housing Complex, Neuenburg

Ochsenanger Housing Development, Bamberg

Distribution Center, Bobingen

Saxon State Library--State and University Library, Dresden

Halstenbek Sports Arena

Printing Plant and Logistics Center, R6bel

Federal Agency for the Environment, Dessau

Baumschulenweg Crematorium, Berlin

Haus R 128, Stuttgart

Wohnhaus e. G. Weimar

New Synagogue, Dresden

European Youth Meeting and Education Center, Weimar

Neanderthal Museum of Human Evolution, Mettmann

German Architecture since 1960

10 Signatures

Behnisch & Partners

Heinz Bienefeld

Gottfried Bohm

Yon Gerkan, Marg and Partners

Nerzog + Partners

Josef R Kleihues

Daniel Libeskind

Karljosef Schattner

Steidle + Partners

Oswald Mathias Ungers

New German Architecture since 1990

Preconditions,Topics,Contexts

German Architecture from 1945 to 1990

The Eternal Return of the Void: German Architecture after German Reunification

The Next Generation: New German Architects?

History--That Was Yesterday: The Germans Are Building a New

Normalcy: They Want to Preserve the Past, but without the Memories

All Quiet on the Eastern Front: Viewed from This Perspective,

the Real Adventure Is Yet to Come for the "New States"

A Short History of Ecological Architecture in Germany

New German Architecture in the International Context

Appendix

Notes

Architects

Authors