Beige Bravoure Part I: Allianz-Hochhaus

The Allianz-Hochhaus on Joachimsthaler Strasse, near Kurfürstendamm, Berlin. Designed in 1955 by Alfred Gunzenhausen and Paul Schwebes.

One of my favourite buildings, and one of the finest examples of German mid-century modernism. At first, the strict geometric travertine façade is reminiscent of the nazi-klassizismus of the 30's and 40's, but in the end, this is something different. The wriggled long wing, the organic shaped staircase and storefront, as well as the pillars that look like the work of Stig Lindberg. It is no wonder this was one of the most appreciated buildings of the Nachkriegzeit.
 

first two photos by BEROLINO

Foxy Lady

Megan Fox in Eero Saarinen's Womb-chair, shot for Rolling Stone magazine.

I never could have imagined...

 

...that I would want to own a pair of red-painted Wegner chairs. But these two JH-719, first produced by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in 1968, are just striking in their red paint - totally original - with flagline backrest and seat, brass rivets, and canvas cushions. They seem very comfortable too - a feat too often overlooked in design furniture.

Blue Velvet

From the new http://www.svenskttenn.se/

ÅHLÉNS

In both these pictures one also sees a skyscraper by Backström & Reinius, Hötorgsskrapan nummer 5, back when the facade still had a brownish hue.

Åhléns City (1964), Klarabergsvägen, Stockholm, by Sven Backström & Leif Reinius. Winner of the Kasper Salin prize 1966. 9 floors. 130 metres long, 40 metres wide. Buildt with the largest and most advanced climate control system in Sweden at the time. The influences from USA are obvious - the long wall is without windows. The ceilings are high, and the well lit "hangar"-spaces are made for effective shopping.

No advertisement was deemed needed on the facade - the building would be striking enough.

As would the plastic bags.

Blacks on Blondes

Egon Eiermann SE-18

Fabricius/Kastholm

Brasilia: 50 Years, 50 Buildings

Oscar Niemeyer - National Congress (1958)

Icaro Castro Mello - Nilson Nelson Gymnasium

 Jose Galbinski - University restaurant/UnB

Oscar Niemeyer - National Theatre (1958)

Pedro Paulo de Melo Saraiva - Fazendaria School

Paulo Zimbres - UnB Rectory (1972-1975)

Oscar Niemeyer - University of Brasilia - Central Institute of Sciences (1960)

Oscar Niemeyer - Palace of Justice (1962)

Pedro Paulo de Melo Saraiva - Fazendaria School

Oscar Niemeyer - National Supreme Court (1958)

Claudio Jose Pinheiro Villar de Queiroz - UnB-Anisio Teixeira and Joao Calmon Pavilions

Oscar Niemeyer - Metropolitan Cathedral (1959)

Oscar Niemeyer - Planalto Palace (1958)

Paulo Mendes da Rocha - Roberto Simonsen Building

Oscar Niemeyer - Alvorada Palace (1957)

As you can see, Brasília has some of the best architecture in the world. But, as any fool will tell you, that doesn't make it into the best city in the world.

Oh, the mysteries of urban planning.

most pictures from Wallpaper

Illum Wikkelsø

In my opinion, this is a much more interesting design than Børge Mogensen's Frederica sofa.

Wegner & Oak

Deck Chaise Longue for Johannes Hansen

GE19

CH27

CH33

CH28

Daybed for Getama

CH07

GE375

CH24

White Light/White Heat - Pendants from the 60's

Lars Englund

Tobia Scarpa

Uli Berger

Jørn Utzon

Achille Castiglioni

Jeff Zimmerman

Gino Sarfatti

Verner Panton

Simon Karkov