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landhaus lemke - mies van der rohe haus
ludwig mies van der rohe, one of the greatest architects of our
century, designed the "landhaus lemke" house for karl
lemke, owner of an art institute and manager of a berlin printing
works, in 1932. It is the last house which mies built in germany
before he emigrated to the usa in 1938. the building of the house
took place during the period between the closure of the bauhaus
in dessau in 1932 to its termination in berlin in 1933. although
in comparison with other of mies works, this brick-built house
is rather simple and modest, it is nonetheless a demonstration
of his unmistakable formal expression. the house is on ground
level only and has a flat roof. an unusual transparency is created
by the large integrated glass areas on the garden side of the
house causing the interior and exterior space to merge. the rooms
situated in the right hand corner of the house are visually connected
via the terrace. the quality and distinctive character of this
house reveals the sense of clarity and proportion.
the house and adjoining garden are situated in the park landscape
of the lake obersee. in 1977 the house was registered as a listed
building and has been open as a work of architecture to the public
since 1990. exhibitions of modern art corresponding to the character
of the building are shown in the house. decades of misappropriation,
which brought with it significant alterations, have disturbed
the original architectural spatial effect. it is hoped that the
planned reconstruction should once again exhibit mies' intention
as well as enhancing the present public and cultural function
of the house.
wita noack
history, 1932-1990
history, 1932-1990
in 1930 karl and martha lemke buy a double piece of land by the
lake obersee. in february 1932 mies van der rohe is given the
contract to design a house for the couple. numerous designs are
produced. in july 1932 permission is granted for the execution
of the architectural plans; some changes to the project ensue.
in august 1932 building work begins, by September 15th the structural
inspection is complete and in march 1933 the final inspection
is carried out. in may 1933 further additions to the project
are granted building permission.
from 1933-1945 the house is occupied by the lemkes. some pieces
of furniture are probably designed for the house by lilly reich
- the garden is landscaped by the studio of karl foerster. in
may 1945, soviet troops requisitioned some of the houses by the
obersee, including the lemke country house. the house is used
by the soviet army as a garage and storage space and serious
structural damage occurs. e.g. demolition of the entrance area
and bricking in of the terrace windows.
in 1962 the east german ministry of state security takes control
of the house. further alterations are made to the structure of
the building and to the garden.
