Hitler saw himself as more than a political figure. As the Fuhrer (leader) he could control all areas of life under the Third Reich and architecture was no exception. He advocated a return to traditional “German” values enhanced by an architectural aesthetic based on a twisted reinterpretation of history. This return to the past was an attempt to reform the Volksgemeinschaft: the foundation of German social structure.
The following investigation aimed to uncover the importance of architecture in Hitler’s quest for dominance and glorification of the National Socialist regime in Nazi Germany. What was the role of architecture in the Nazis ideology? What values and concepts were expressed in Nazi architecture? To answer these questions I studied a key event in the midst of the regimes dominance- the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. My research would see me undertake a first hand photography study of Nazi Architecture in Berlin to understand the role that the media (film, publication etc.) played in glorifying and spreading the Nazi message to a mass audience.
Templehof Airport, Berlin- Example of Nazi "beatiful" architecture. The airport respresented a mix of architetcural styles. The public facade is expressed as a symmetrical and classical interpretation built in a false stone work, which aimed reflected the romantic, grandeur of travel. The airfield elevation is built in steel and glass- contrastinly modern- which represtented Germany's continous development in aviation and engineering . It is a common misconsecption that Hitler completely forgoed the use of modernised styles.
Fehrberliner Platz: one of many Nazi administration buildings still in existence, providing jobs for many Berliners in a time of economic despair
Olympic cauldron at the Olympic stadium. View for Hitler’s “royal” box
Olympic Stadium Station- Arrival at the Olympic park. "Functional" architecture is portrayed in a modern, industrial style.
Sony Centre at Potsdammer Platz- Modern day Berlin
