Rob Krier's diverse body of work as an architect, urban planner, and sculptor is comprehensively presented for the first time. After studying, he worked with notable figures like O. M. Ungers and Frei Otto, later establishing his own offices in Vienna and Berlin. Krier taught at TU Wien and served as a guest professor at Yale. Drawing from historical influences and archetypal patterns, he developed typologies for streets and squares, contributing to significant urban projects across Europe, including notable developments in Berlin, Vienna, Potsdam, and the Netherlands.
The architect is inherently an artist, capable of navigating the complexities of space while balancing the demands of physics and structural mechanics with creative vision. Rob Krier stands out as an exception, merging his passion for art with architecture throughout his career. He believes that fine art should engage in a dialogue with architecture, enriching the experiences of both occupants and passersby. In his Pictorial Journal 1954–1971, Krier shares his dual passion for art and architecture, recounting his formative years in Echternach, studies in Munich, and early professional experiences with Oswald Mathias Ungers and Frei Otto. This journal, which documents his time as a lecturer at Stuttgart University, features minimal text and emphasizes composed imagery over vibrant colors. It showcases his 'daily scribbles'—sketches of people, animals, buildings, landscapes, and imaginative concepts. Born in Luxembourg, Krier later moved to Vienna, teaching at various institutions, including a professorship at the Technische Universität in Vienna from 1976 to 1998 and a guest professorship at Yale in 1986. His urban design concepts have influenced cities like Stuttgart, Vienna, and Berlin, with projects such as Rauchstrasse and Breitenfurterstrasse gaining international recognition.
This softcover edition explores neotraditional town planning as a response to contemporary urban crises, emphasizing clear, organized spaces infused with public spirit, identification, and order. The book is divided into four parts, outlining guidelines for planning new cities, developing urban neighborhoods, restructuring city centers, and expanding existing areas. Drawing on firsthand experiences from the firm Krier Kohl, it details the journey from morphological conception through various phases of the town-planning design process to execution. A diverse range of architectural realizations by notable practitioners like Michael Graves, Cesar Pelli, and Kohn Pedersen Fox illustrates how neotraditional town planning can effectively collaborate with stylistically varied architectural concepts. The accompanying essays enhance the volume, providing additional insights. This well-designed and well-printed work serves as a comprehensive guide for those interested in creating urban environments that foster community and order.
