ARCHITECTURAL BATTLE RAGES IN DRESDEN’S MAIN CITY SQUARE

Robert Adam Architects is among a Europe-wide group of eight traditional architects campaigning against the modern-style redevelopment of Dresden's historic market square, Neumarkt. Dresden residents have sought the support of traditional architects from across Europe to help them fight against modern schemes, commissioned by the City Planning Group. The residents claim they were not properly consulted over the choice of architects or whether a modern scheme, which pays scant attention to the much loved historic square, is appropriate. 

Reduced to rubble by heavy bombing during the Second World War, Neuplatz is today bordered by brutal 60’s and 70’s blocks erected during the Communist regime. The traditionalists’ scheme proposes a return to the pre 1945 historic plan and routes across the square, with new traditional-style buildings constructed within the original plot divisions, with some reconstructions of the best facades from original drawings. Presently, there is little support from the city planners to the reinstatement of the pattern of the original city blocks, or to traditional design.

The current reconstruction of the Frauenkirche cathedral is at the heart of the Neumarkt. The City is hoping to complete the renovation of the whole area to coincide with the completion of the cathedral, in 2004. The traditionalists' campaign, which is being funded by the Association for a New Market Place, a group of local architects, lawyers, historians and preservationists, is supported by HRH The Prince of Wales, who says: "The Frauenkirche, a rich and lovingly-crafted church, stands in visible and firm opposition to the nihilism and cultural impoverishment that overshadowed the last half of the 20th century. There is still a chance that the rest of the reconstructed Neumarkt could do the same." The network of traditional architects includes Gabriele Taglaivente, Bologna; Piotr Chonymowski, Oslo, and Rudiger Patzsckke, Berlin.

A pavilion, funded by the residents, will be erected in the centre of Neuplatz to showcase the solutions put forward by the eight European traditional architects. The exhibition will provide all Dresden residents the chance to see a viable alternative to the scheme put forward unilaterally by the City Council. It will remain in the square until April 2002.