A good night sleep--thank god. Today was another whilrwind of 7 sites, some by Mies and some by a contemporary of Mies, Hans Scharoun.

Thinking about how this modernist travel blog was born, out of the desire to connect classic sites with young, computer arm-chair travellers, I realize that one might learn about both sides of the modern spectrum today. Mies, who is technical, minimalist and a master of simplicity; and Scharoun who organizes design from the inside out and organically.

Mies:
Afrikinische Strasse housing complex (1925-27) Mies is 31 / Haus Lemke (1932) Mies is 38 / Neue Nationalgalarie (1968) Mies is 76

The first - a housing project is the first project where Mies realizes that he can really begin to interpret his new vision of modernism. The result is a simple execution of affordable housing. The second was a family home created on a small budget - 1400sf of beauty and modernism extending into nature. The third is the nations art gallery and a technical feat in engineering.
(Photos forthcoming)

Scharoun:
Philharmonie (1960-63) / Private home (1932)

The Philharmonie is the nation's philharmonic concert hall and is located next to Mies Neue Nationalgallerie. Frank Gehry stated it was his inspiration for the Disney Concert Hall in LA. It is organized from the outside in, focusing on circling the audience around the orchestra and establishing pitches to create the appropriate acoustical pitches.

The private home - simple on the outside - unfolds to reveal an organic interior with crazy amazing details. From hand crafted built-in spice racks, to ceiling lights out of reverse arm lamps, swooping bannisters and flwright like built-in furniture. Outside modern, inside fiesta.

For our arm-chair travellers - like all of these sites, it can hadly be captured in pictures. And how we access technical feats such as Neue Gallery or the details of Scharoun's private home can only be by memory.

-Christy MacLear