Hugo Haring: The Organic Versus the Geometric

Rating:
Summary: An architect brought in from the dark
Review: This is a highly informative exploration of an architect who is still relatively unknown to the English speaking world. Haring was the father of the modern German organic tradition in architecture, and without a knowledge of his ideas an understanding of the architecture of Scharoun, Behnisch, and Fehling and Gogel - among others - cannot be properly had. This book is written in Blundell Jones' usual highly entertaining and conceptually-focussed way; I was especially impressed by his co-presentation of large tracts of Haring's writings with a helpful running analysis. Impressive also are the startling insights of Margot Aschenbrenner. Also illuminating is the revelation of Haring influences such as Oswald Spengler and Leo Frobenius. Many previously unpublished drawings are included. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern architecture, and particularly in 'the other tradition' which is usually represented only by such figures as Wright and Aalto.

Rating:
Summary: An architect brought in from the dark
Review: This is a highly informative exploration of an architect who is still relatively unknown to the English speaking world. Haring was the father of the modern German organic tradition in architecture, and without a knowledge of his ideas an understanding of the architecture of Scharoun, Behnisch, and Fehling and Gogel - among others - cannot be properly had. This book is written in Blundell Jones' usual highly entertaining and conceptually-focussed way; I was especially impressed by his co-presentation of large tracts of Haring's writings with a helpful running analysis. Impressive also are the startling insights of Margot Aschenbrenner. Also illuminating is the revelation of Haring influences such as Oswald Spengler and Leo Frobenius. Many previously unpublished drawings are included. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern architecture, and particularly in 'the other tradition' which is usually represented only by such figures as Wright and Aalto.