de/hmbrg/klassenkreuz/01
Katharinenschule, Hamburg
by Paul Seitz in 1957
To what has become known as the “Klassenkreuz” among Hamburg’s school building typologies – this exemplar was the prototype. It was reproduced many times during the 1950s and early 60s, a reliable source speaks of 57 others mention hundreds. The distinctive crosswise shape of these buildings makes it easy to identify school grounds when looking at aerial photographs or maps of the city of Hamburg. Designed by nobody less than Paul Seitz – yet the mere omnipresence of these 'crosses' leaves you sceptical about standardized building typologies like this one. On the other hand one has to keep in mind the economical circumstances in postwar Germany that they were built in. They don’t just look like from a construction kit – without standardized building methods the city could not have reconstructed and modernized so many schools at once. (The abandoned prototype in this photo is to be demolished soon.)
de/hmbrg/klassenkreuz/01
Katharinenschule, Hamburg
by Paul Seitz in 1957
To what has become known as the “Klassenkreuz” among Hamburg’s school building typologies – this exemplar was the prototype. It was reproduced many times during the 1950s and early 60s, a reliable source speaks of 57 others mention hundreds. The distinctive crosswise shape of these buildings makes it easy to identify school grounds when looking at aerial photographs or maps of the city of Hamburg. Designed by nobody less than Paul Seitz – yet the mere omnipresence of these 'crosses' leaves you sceptical about standardized building typologies like this one. On the other hand one has to keep in mind the economical circumstances in postwar Germany that they were built in. They don’t just look like from a construction kit – without standardized building methods the city could not have reconstructed and modernized so many schools at once. (The abandoned prototype in this photo is to be demolished soon.)