Colorful City - Neues Bauen: The Architecture of Carl Krayl

This is the first monograph on the architect Carl Krayl (1890–1947). Like Walter Gropius and Hans Scharoun, he belonged to a small, prominent circle of German architects who played a part in all formative phases of the classical Modernist style. As a member of the artists’ group “Gläserne Kette” (aka Glass Chain), among others, he contributed to the enthusiastic and utopian dawn of a new avant-garde following WWI. In 1921 Krayl followed Bruno Taut to Magdeburg, where Taut had been appointed head of municipal planning and building control. Krayl made a name for himself with his expressionist designs. He also caused a furor at the same time, as a leader of the campaign “Buntes Magdeburg” (Colorful Magdeburg), responsible for painting the city’s building façades. As of 1923 Krayl turned to New Objectivity and became a nationwide representative of “Neues Bauen.” The essays in this book situate Carl Krayl’s individual work within the context of architectural history at the beginning of the 20th century. Short contributions and opulent photo spreads explain select works of architecture. Numerous illustrations depict not only Krayl’s buildings, but also show his plans, drawings and previously unpublished archival material. A list of works completes the publication.