2420. Van Nelle Fabriek Rotterdam

 

Queridos Rafa y Louis,

La mítica fábrica de tabaco, té y café Van Nelle en

Róterdam fue construida por el estudio de arquitectos

Brinkman y Van der Vlugt con la colaboración de 

Mart Stam entre 1925 y 1930. Este edificio se 

convirtió rápidamente en un importante manifiesto 

de la arquitectura moderna funcionalista en los 

Países Bajos desde el periodo de entreguerras en

adelante.

Besos,

R

2251. Beograd. Crkva sv. Ante

 

Querido Jose,

La iglesia de San Antonio en Belgrado

es el único edificio construido por el

famoso arquitecto Jože Plečnik en 

en esta ciudad. De las muchas iglesias

que este arquitecto diseñó en su 

carrera esta, de planta circular, es 

una de las más conseguidas.

Un abrazo,

R

2176. Van Nelle Factory

 

Dear Jan,

This is a vintage postcard featuring the Van Nelle

Factory built between 1925 and 1931. The complex

shows a clear influence of Soviet Constructivism.

It was in operation until 1997 when it became a 

large co-working space.

Best,

R

1730. Berlin Reinickendorf Aroser Allee

Dear Peter,

(...) Si nosotros encontráramos también una pura,
contenida, estrecha, humana franja de huerto, nuestra,
entre el río y la roca (...)
(Rainer Maria Rilke "Las Elegías de Duíno" 1922)

Regards,
R

1718. Berlin-Reinickendorf-Ost, Aroser-allee mit Brückenhaus

Dear Sybi,

In addition to the Siemensstadt housing estate and the

"Horseshoe" settlement in Britz among others, the 

"White Town" at the village of Reinickendorf was one 

of the most remarkable functionalist residential 

communities built in Berlin in the 1930s.

The centerpiece of this 60,000 square meter estate was 

the bridge-like building across the Aroser Allee built 

by Otto Rudolf Salvisberg.

Cheers,
R

1685. Bata Store, Reichenberg, Tuchplatz

Querido Walter,

Este elegante edificio de los famosos almacenes de calzado Bata te resultará familiar de tus tiempos en Liberec. El arquitecto, Vladimir Karfík, construyó muchos edificios para esta compañía incluyendo el renombrado Edificio 21 de 16 pisos en la ciudad de Zlín, sede principal de la firma.

Un abrazo,
R

1667. Heerlen. Kantoren Oranje Nassaumijn I

Dear Rob,

The building for the Oranje Nassau Company Headquarters was designed by Rick Roosenburg in 1931 according to the functionalist principles. In 1996 the building was restored and painted all green instead of its original white.

Sincerely,
R

1594. Baden, Neues Postgebäude

Dear Michael,

The commercial building for the former PTT (Swiss Federal Post, Telegraph, and Telephone Authority) is a very dogmatist building by Karl Moser and Robert Curjel.  Moser was one of the "fathers of Modernism" and a teacher at the ETH Zurich where he became an important mentor to younger generations of architects.

Regards,
R

1583. Berlin im Wiederaufbau. Lehniner Platz

Abuelo,

El cine Universum en el distrito Wilmersdorf de 

Berlín fue la primera sala modernista cinematográfica 

del mundo y se construyó más concretamente en estilo 

Streamline o Aerodinámico al gusto de la época. 

El resto del complejo WOGA que incluía comercios y

viviendas en estilo Racionalista (Nueva Objetividad) 

más sencillo y funcional.

Besos,
R

1569. Citroëngebouw, Amsterdam

Dear Jan,

Next to the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium built by Jan Wils, stands this magnificent showroom for Citroën also designed by Wils and still in use.

Best,
R

1561. Moscow. New Apartment Building

Dear Georgi,

The very large VTsIK residential complex was reserved for officials of the Communist Party when built in 1931. Later during the Stalinist purges many tenants dissapeared and the building began to be known popularly as the "House of Ghosts"

Best regards,
R

1460. Communal House, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Dear Fidel,

This building followed a similar scheme as in the very experimental housing project that was Narkomfin in Moscow, also designed by Ginzburg simultaneously with this one in Ekaterinburg. This building however seems to have a more secure future than its counterpart in Moscow.

Cheers,
R

1341. Kaunas- Pasto Rumai

Dear Richard,

A handsome vintage picture postcard featuring Kaunas
Central Post Office. This is one of the most significant buildings in the new functionalist style in Lithuania. Spacious halls, adequate light, avoidance of unnecessary decoration, a modern elevator, and even showers for the employees, are just some of the features of this architectural landmark completed in 1932.

All the best,
R

1288. Zilina - Synagoga

Dear Art and Judith,

A vintage and beautiful image of the Neologic Synagogue
built in 1931 by Peter Behrens in Zilina, Slovakia. Since
2011 the building has been restored and partially reconstructed to bringing it back to its original conditions.

Best regards,
R

1209. Tel-Aviv, House in Hess Street

Dear Esther,

"At the risk of sounding mystical, I must say that 

the decisive inspiration -much more important than experience- comes to me each time from contact 

with the ground on which I will build and with the 

people for whom I am building"
(Richard Kauffmann)

Sincerely,
R

PS. In the image the Kruskal House, designed by 

Richard Kauffmann in 1931.

994. Das Haus Ring der Frauen, Berlin 1931

Dear Alice,

"Architecture is the art which is closest to reality" 
(Peter Behrens)

All the best,
R

713. Deutsche Bauausstellung, Berlin 1931

Dear Matilda,

Lilly Reich, the co-designer with Mies van der Rohe of
the Barcelona Chair, was also artistic co-director of the
1931 exhibition Die Wohnung Unserer Zeit (The Dwelling
in Our Time). The two buildings in the background center
of the image of this contemporary postcard were designed,
one by Mies ven der Rohe and the other by Lilly Reich,
sharing both a long and meaningful connecting wall.

Best regards.
R

641. K.N.S. Klubbhus-Dronningen, Oslo

Dear Poul,

"All work shall be absolutely first-class workmanship"
(Andreas Bjercke)

Respectfully,
R

548. Bucuresti, Palatul Asiguraii Romanesti

Dear Marcel,

The Asigurarea Romaneasca (ARO) insurance building
in Bucharest was the first important modernist structure
in Romania. Horizontal lines, consistent with urban
circulation of motor vehicles, and simplicity of forms are
the two main features of this building.

Sincerely,
R

470. Flughafen Halle Leipzig b. Schkeuditz

Dear Leopold,

As you can see in the picture the view over the airfield
is the main theme of this airy and functional new restaurant
building for the Schkeuditz Airport recently finished in
1931. It has been designed by Swiss architect and
Bauhaus teacher Hans Wittwer. Did you meet him over
there? I really hope this building will manage to survive
through this unsettled times we chance to live.

Best regards my friend.
R