DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45213#0215
Opinions about the presentation at the
Centennial Hall and Exhibition Grounds
215
The WUWA project had as many supporters as it had critics. Some questioned the very idea of or-
ganising an exhibition devoted to domestic architecture arguing that "by their very nature, such
exhibitions tend to focus on unusual or even sensational aspects in order to attract the viewer, while
scorning the everyday and typical."429
The presentation arranged at the Exhibition Grounds was generally well-received with only mi-
nor objections.430 Its three principal sections (materials, landscape architecture and urban planning,
interior design) received positive reviews. 431 This view was shared by a group of Polish architects
who visited the exhibition. One of them, Edgar Norweth, reviewed the exhibition for Architekt. The
Polish guests liked the presentation arranged at Hans Poelzig's Four-Dome Pavilion, featuring spatial
development plans for German cities, residential communities, and housing estates (supervised by
Adolf Rading and Heinrich Lauterbach) and the section devoted to green and recreational areas,
parks, and sports facilities (supervised by Richard Konwiarz).432 They were less impressed with the
international section, reviewing the solutions adopted in other countries; in particular, they were not
satisfied with the part devoted to Poland.433
429 Eleonore COLDEN-JAENICKE, op.cit., p.613.
430 Alfred SCHELLENBERG, op.cit., p.474-475. In: Lubomir SLAPETA, Vladimir SLAPETA, op.cit., p.1436.
431 L.M., 'Die Werkbund-Ausstellung zu Breslau', Schlesisches Heim 1929, vol. 7, p. 55.
432 Edgar NORWERTH, op.cit., p.320. 'The section concerning Germany is systematically arranged and very well presented. In most cases, the
ambitious regulations of German cities and towns are well prepared and thought through. They should be studied and analysed to provide
instructions in the systematic approach to planning, regulations and implementation. A well-developed network of sports facilities is perhaps
one of the most characteristic features of contemporary regulations in German towns. In large cities, like Dortmund, Cologne, Dusseldorf, it has
developed into monumental and impressive facilities with several stadiums, public sports fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools, in this area,
Germany is certainly the European leader. See: Guido HARBERS, 'Wohnung und Werkraum. Werkbund-Ausstellung Breslau 1929', DerBaumeister
1929, vol.27, no.9, p.289; L.M., op.cit., p.195. 'This presentation, rich in valuable insights, provides a comprehensive review of contemporary
approaches to planning in our cities. It is striking that almost everywhere green areas dominate over transport and even omnipresent housing
- at least on paper.'
433 Ibidem. Arranged in the beautifully lit and convenient to peruse halls of Poelzig's exhibition pavilion, this section would have made
a powerful impression and facilitated the comparison of ideas and approaches in an international context had it included more comprehensive
contributions from other countries. The featured material does not justify drawing any reasonable conclusions as it appears to have been
Centennial Hall and Exhibition Grounds
215
The WUWA project had as many supporters as it had critics. Some questioned the very idea of or-
ganising an exhibition devoted to domestic architecture arguing that "by their very nature, such
exhibitions tend to focus on unusual or even sensational aspects in order to attract the viewer, while
scorning the everyday and typical."429
The presentation arranged at the Exhibition Grounds was generally well-received with only mi-
nor objections.430 Its three principal sections (materials, landscape architecture and urban planning,
interior design) received positive reviews. 431 This view was shared by a group of Polish architects
who visited the exhibition. One of them, Edgar Norweth, reviewed the exhibition for Architekt. The
Polish guests liked the presentation arranged at Hans Poelzig's Four-Dome Pavilion, featuring spatial
development plans for German cities, residential communities, and housing estates (supervised by
Adolf Rading and Heinrich Lauterbach) and the section devoted to green and recreational areas,
parks, and sports facilities (supervised by Richard Konwiarz).432 They were less impressed with the
international section, reviewing the solutions adopted in other countries; in particular, they were not
satisfied with the part devoted to Poland.433
429 Eleonore COLDEN-JAENICKE, op.cit., p.613.
430 Alfred SCHELLENBERG, op.cit., p.474-475. In: Lubomir SLAPETA, Vladimir SLAPETA, op.cit., p.1436.
431 L.M., 'Die Werkbund-Ausstellung zu Breslau', Schlesisches Heim 1929, vol. 7, p. 55.
432 Edgar NORWERTH, op.cit., p.320. 'The section concerning Germany is systematically arranged and very well presented. In most cases, the
ambitious regulations of German cities and towns are well prepared and thought through. They should be studied and analysed to provide
instructions in the systematic approach to planning, regulations and implementation. A well-developed network of sports facilities is perhaps
one of the most characteristic features of contemporary regulations in German towns. In large cities, like Dortmund, Cologne, Dusseldorf, it has
developed into monumental and impressive facilities with several stadiums, public sports fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools, in this area,
Germany is certainly the European leader. See: Guido HARBERS, 'Wohnung und Werkraum. Werkbund-Ausstellung Breslau 1929', DerBaumeister
1929, vol.27, no.9, p.289; L.M., op.cit., p.195. 'This presentation, rich in valuable insights, provides a comprehensive review of contemporary
approaches to planning in our cities. It is striking that almost everywhere green areas dominate over transport and even omnipresent housing
- at least on paper.'
433 Ibidem. Arranged in the beautifully lit and convenient to peruse halls of Poelzig's exhibition pavilion, this section would have made
a powerful impression and facilitated the comparison of ideas and approaches in an international context had it included more comprehensive
contributions from other countries. The featured material does not justify drawing any reasonable conclusions as it appears to have been