Steel on new paths: Historical discourses of innovation, structural engineering practices, and historic preservation challenges of the high modern age
In high modernism, steel, along with reinforced concrete, was not only a building material whose material properties made it possible to realize architectural visions, structural innovations or infrastructural systems that had previously been considered impossible. In this context, the material was also connoted with a symbolism that made it an integral part of the contemporary promise of progress across all systems.
The increasing availability of this material, fueled both by technological innovations and a complex scientific network, and determined by political and economic conditions, had as a consequence the professionalization and specialization that emerged in companies, associations and institutions, like the diversification of products. Today, a large number of the steely – often experimentally developed – relics of past progress narratives have lost their original function and are in a critical state of preservation. Reflection on their significance in the history of construction, architecture, and building technology seems urgently needed, and appropriate preservation approaches must be developed.
The conference will focus on steel as a building material in high modernism. In this context, steel structures and the techniques and practices associated with them will be analyzed. The social, economic and cultural as well as the scientific and engineering conditions of development and the networks of actors involved will be examined: planning, production and construction processes, standardization and typification, unique and serial products, the initiation of new material and construction (sub)developments as well as the committees and institutions that organized these developments.
A second focus of the considerations is on the associated historic preservation aspects. In the sense of an inventory, the aim is to characterize more precisely the monument or source value of certain buildings or also building types made of steel in high modernism. In addition, can fundamental innovation and/or production developments be identified that can be discussed or should be taken into account when considering the value of objects? Furthermore, strategies for the preservation, renovation or upgrading of such buildings can be presented. However, this should not be so much a matter of reporting on the experience of restoration measures, but rather of an overarching discussion, for example, of typical deficiencies that were perhaps already part of the design during the construction period, but which today cause specific problems under current conditions of use.
picture credit: Hoesch Aktiengesellschaft Dortmund, Products of our plants and companies, 1965: Montanhistorisches Dokumentationszentrum (montan.dok) beim Deutschen Bergbau-Museum Bochum/Bergbau-Archiv (BBA) FP 535/1
Further Veranstaltung
Workshop Subprojects C2, C3, C4 and E4 – 3D Digitalisation. Limits of 3D capture and digitalisation of complex models.
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 1. November 2023
Munich
Workshop Subprojects B2, C2 und D2 – “Network Theories “
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 15. July 2022
Munich
On November 25, 2022, a one-day workshop was held at the Technical University of Munich, which focused on an introduction to actor-network theory and the limits of its applicability in network research in the history of civil engineering. It was open to all SPP members and was jointly organized by the subprojects Plank Trusses (D2), Historic Concrete Repairs (B2) and Physical Models in Civil Engineering (C2).
WORKSHOP OF THE SUBPROJECTS C3, C4, D1, D2 AND E1 – TYPIFIED GDR STRUCTURES AS HISTORICAL SOURCES OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 10. October 2022
Weimar
The GDR produced highly typified load-bearing structures based on standardised building elements, which were in turn combined in type buildings. The workshop will focus on the phenomenon of state-led building typification in East Germany, with a consideration of West German type building for contextualisation. In addition to an insight into materials, constructions and development mechanisms, the constructive side of building in the GDR will be addressed and its worthiness of preservation discussed, away from the classical history of architecture and urban development.
The workshop will take place from 29.-31 3. 2023 at the Bauhaus University Weimar. A one-day excursion on 31. 3. will explore selected type buildings.
WORKSHOP OF THE SUBPROJECTS C3, C4, D1, D2 AND E1 – TYPIFIED GDR STRUCTURES AS HISTORICAL SOURCES OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 23. May 2023
Weimar
The GDR produced highly typified load-bearing structures based on standardised building elements, which were in turn combined in type buildings. The workshop will focus on the phenomenon of state-led building typification in East Germany, with a consideration of West German type building for contextualisation. In addition to an insight into materials, constructions and development mechanisms, the constructive side of building in the GDR will be addressed and its worthiness of preservation discussed, away from the classical history of architecture and urban development.
The workshop will take place from 29.-31 3. 2023 at the Bauhaus University Weimar. A one-day excursion on 31. 3. will explore selected type buildings.
Workshop Cluster D – „Lightweight Roof Support Structures of the High Modern Age“
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 5. August 2021
Weimar – Bad Blankenburg – Erfurt
In Weimar, the members of the subprojects DENKRAUM (D1) and Brett- und Bohlenbinder (D2), which are connected in the cluster D, met for a two-day workshop at the Bauhaus University. In lectures and discussions common questions and topics of the two subprojects were worked out, especially with regard to the current SPP annual topic Building at the Limit. In addition, excursions to interesting roof structures of high modernism in Weimar and the surrounding area were undertaken.
WORKSHOP CLUSTER C – “BUILDING AT THE LIMIT”
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 7. January 2022
Braunschweig
On September 09, 2021, the Institute of Building Preservation and Structure and the Institute of Steel Construction at TU Braunschweig invited Cluster C to a one-day workshop. All subprojects, Innovation system of the steel industry (C1), Physical models in civil engineering (C2), Mass Monument Industrial Hall (C3) and lightweight steel and metal structures in the GDR (C4), were represented. In additionAntonia Zöllner M.Sc. participated with her associated project Above-Ground Structures of the Rammelsberg.
Workshop Cluster A – „Railway bridges“
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 26. November 2021
Dresden
On October 22, 2021, the Institute of Solid Structures of TU Dresden hosted a hybrid workshop on the topic of dealing with historic railroad bridges. The workshop, which was held with the participation of invited guests on site in Dresden and in the form of a parallel online conference, was aimed at the participants of the thematic cluster A (railroad bridges) of SPP 2255, which is composed of the two subprojects „Monuments in the Network “ (A1) and „Holistic Evaluation of Steel Railway Bridges“ (A2).
Workshop “History of construction technology and history of technology – cognitive interest, topics and methods in dialog”
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 5. July 2024
Stuttgart
The history of building technology and the history of technology are sister disciplines. However, there is hardly any exchange. Scientific contacts, joint conferences or even projects are rare exceptions. There is an unmistakable difference in their research interests, topics and methods. But this is precisely where the potential of the encounter lies: the different emphases can also be seen as mutually enriching. There is much to learn from each other!
SUMUPLAB 2022: AIRCRAFT HANGARS IN COTTBUS
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 29. August 2022
Cottbus
The “strategy and method laboratories” (SuMupLABs) are one of the central event formats to promote interdisciplinary exchange in the SPP 2255. They are explicitly aimed at the processors in the individual sub-projects of the SPP.
The SuMupLAB 2022 takes the participants to the former airfield Cottbus-Nord. The site, which was used by the military from 1933 to 2003, is currently undergoing forced expansion into a commercial location in the context of structural change in Lausitz. This raises crucial questions about the future authenticity of an ensemble of five aircraft hangars that are unique in Germany.
SUMUPLAB 2021: THE FORMER BROADCASTING HALL OF RADIO EUROPE 1 IN SAARLAND
Kategorie: Veranstaltung, WorkshopPublished on: 29. July 2021
Überherrn, Ortsteil Felsberg
Die „Strategie- und Methodenlabore“ (SuMupLABs) sind eines der zentralen Veranstaltungsformate zur Förderung des interdisziplinären Austauschs im SPP 2255. Sie richten sich explizit an den Bearbeiterinnen und Bearbeiter in den einzelnen Teilprojekten des SPP.
Das erste SuMupLAB 2021 führte die Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer in die ehem. Sendehalle von Radio Europe 1 im Saarland. Das 1954/55 errichtete Bauwerk steht exemplarisch für das erste Jahresthema des SPP 2255 – „Bauen am Limit“. Der lichtdurchflutete Bau wird von einer gut 80 m weit frei spannenden Hängeschale überdacht, in deren spannungsreicher Baugeschichte die Grenzen des technisch Beherrschbaren in dramatischer Weise offenbar wurden.
