Architecrure

Reflections on the architectural world are often
quite teasing, for in every first visit to a city there
are a multitude of interesting questions that arise.
In the end, the same basic values are rediscovered
in the experience of the architecture and in the
unique genius of a given place.
ARCHITECTURE THROUGH MY EYES is a record
of an architectural journey recorded by the
author in countries that are relatively advanced
in maintaining historical architecture: Austria, the
Netherlands, Germany, and Japan. In contrast to
the collection of writings commonly published
on architecture, the author shares first-hand
experiences of the architectural objects and cities
of interest in this discussion. Traveling in Europe
entails short expeditions. The author addresses a
few subjects, including the cities, the architecture,
the architects, and the uniqueness of their works,
influences, and historical styles.
In this book, the photographs of architectural
works are displayed in a unique manner that
addresses a critique of the architectural works and
the cities themselves. In arranging this work, the
author applied the method that is usually used by
architectural historians, including the “architectural
pilgrimage method,” by running an expedition from
city to city and documenting everything related to
the subjects of the observations made by a lover
of architecture. The author believes that through
in situ research, which includes the experience of
space and time as well as dimensions and distances,
a unique spirit is contributed to these writings.
This work is also expected to encourage young
architectural historians to become more active in
an expanded discussion of the history and criticism
of architectural works in different parts of the world.

This book starts by discussing Friedensreich
Hundertwasser, an artist who became an architect
through collaboration with Joseph Krawina.
Hundertwasser’s works, such as the Kuntshaus and
the Spittelau, became emblematic of an alternative
design style, one that was freer and more natural
than the geometric style it displaced.
The next topic of discussion is functionalist style
proponent Otto Wagner, who successfully created
an alternative design that is now known as
Jugendstil style. The influence of this movement
is quite widespread throughout the world.
Wagner felt that Art Nouveau and Art Deco were
at odds with the more traditional historicism.
Next we discuss the Emperor’s greenhouse in
Vienna, particularly the history and style of the
Schmetterlinghaus (Butterfly House), a structure
that was used to invoke a fantastical atmosphere
in the Emperor’s Tropical Garden.
From Austria we shift to the Netherlands and
explore the Delft City Canal, discussing the history
of the city and the canals that cut through it, which
is one of most significant characteristics of the city
landscape found in the Netherlands. After this we
discuss the riverside village of Overschie, a small
village not far from Rotterdam, comparing the
face of the past and the present as found there.
The next topic is the architectural icon of the Cube
Houses of Rotterdam and the concept of “Living
under an urban roof” applied by architect Piet
Blom, along with a discussion of the history of the
Kubus Woning (cube houses).
Still in the Netherlands, we examine the famous
Kinderdijk windmill, which is located not far from
the city of Rotterdam. Photographs of unique
windmills can be seen in this section. From
the southern part of the Netherlands we go to
Dutch Friesland in the section “The Small Houses
of Hindeloopen,” which discusses the small
fishermen’s houses in the region. This area was
one of the consumers of the VOC’s (Vereenigde
Oostindische Compagnie—Dutch East India
Company) merchandise.
From the Netherlands we go to Germany to
examine the image of Weisis-Ossis (West-
East) architecture of Berlin, which gives a lot of
information about the flavor of this once-divided
city. We also examine how the two halves of the
city maintained their monuments (denkmal). After
the Berlin Wall collapsed, the contrast between the
styles of the two parts of the city could more easily
be seen.
This section also discusses the enchanting structure
of the Frankfurt am Main station, which was an
enormous project when it was built. The station
was designed by Schwedler, an engineer, and has a
long, Satteldäch-style roof. The station represents a
philosophical stance, which is symbolized through
its exterior. This chapter also discusses this station’s
past and present.
From Europe we travel to Japan in Asia, to an ancient
village from the Edo period. In Tsumago village
there are attractive ancient houses; if we compare
them to the villages in Europe from the same time,
we will learn many architectural lessons about the
similarities and differences. The illustrations of this
ancient village aim to show the contrast between
the growth of the villages in Western Europe and
those in Asia. The book closes with a discussion of
the Japanese concept of Machizukuri, in which city
planning involves input from the general public.
This concept is valuable to study and to apply to
the construction of a historic city district.