Hans Dollgast : Reconstruction and Modernity – Maximillan Sternberg
Drawing on extensive original archival research, this volume offers a compelling new interpretation of the writings, drawings and buildings of the German architect Hans Döllgast. It makes a persuasive case for Döllgast as one of the most original and influential architectural thinkers of the twentieth century, whose work continues to resonate with contemporary debates around conservation, adaptation and the reuse of existing buildings.
Often compared with figures such as Jože Plečnik and Carlo Scarpa, Döllgast has influenced generations of architects, including James Stirling, David Chipperfield and Eduardo Souto de Moura. From his early experience in the studios of Richard Riemerschmid and Peter Behrens during the 1920s, through to his mature work in Munich, Döllgast occupied a distinctive position both within and beyond the mainstream of modern architecture.
Best known for his thoughtful reconstruction and adaptation of war-damaged buildings, Döllgast developed an architectural approach that addressed memory, loss and continuity while creating places of enduring quality. As questions of heritage, sustainability and the future of existing buildings become increasingly urgent, his work offers valuable lessons for architects, historians and students alike.
An important study of a remarkable architect whose ideas remain strikingly relevant to contemporary architectural practice.
Maximilian Sternberg is Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge
Author: Maximillan Sternberg
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
Format: Hardback
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781848227422
Publication date: September 2026