In 1941, German architect Konrad Wachsmann (1901–1980) emigrated to the U.S. to escape the Second World War. Erstwhile a trained cabinetmaker, the chief architect of one of the largest prefabricated construction companies in Europe, and a private practitioner, Wachsmann brought a particular line of prefabricated timber construction knowledge to the U.S., which he utilized in the development of military technologies as well as for the development of an ambitious prefabricated kit-of-parts house known as the Packaged House (1941-47), developed in collaboration with Walter Gropius (1883–1969).
Later, he transferred to academia and developed an algorithmic teaching system, which he employed in his teaching posts in the U.S. and his state-sponsored workshops around the world. With two novel architectural research institutes, which he supported with military and government commissions that became the subject of design inquiry at these programs, Wachsmann envisioned a transformation of architectural education within the university system and the larger order of society.
Through Wachsmann's post-emigration oeuvre, covering his projects, collaborations, and pedagogy, this dissertation delves into the post-war transatlantic exchange of architectural and intellectual capital and the influence of production technologies and cybernetics on architectural imagination and theory. / Doctor of Philosophy / In 1941, German architect Konrad Wachsmann emigrated to the United States, seeking refuge from the turmoil of the Second World War. With a background as a trained cabinetmaker, the chief architect for a major European prefabricated timber construction company and an architect who practiced on his own, Wachsmann brought with him a wealth of knowledge in prefabricated timber construction. His expertise found diverse applications in the U.S., ranging from military technologies to the development of an ambitious prefabricated housing system called the Packaged House (1941-47), created in collaboration with renowned architect Walter Gropius.
Transitioning to academia, Wachsmann pioneered an algorithmic teaching system that choreographed the movement of students, information, and tasks within the studio. He employed this system in in his teaching posts in the U.S. and his state-sponsored workshops around the world. He envisioned a transformation of architectural education within universities and society at large, exemplified by two innovative architectural research institutes he founded. These institutions were financially supported by military and government commissions, which became the subject of design exploration.
This dissertation examines Wachsmann's post-emigration body of work, encompassing his projects, collaborations, and pedagogical approach. It delves into the profound influence of production technologies and cybernetics on architectural imagination and theory, shedding light on the dynamic transatlantic exchange that shaped the architectural landscape in the post-war era.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115564 |
| Date | 28 June 2023 |
| Creators | Isbilen, Ezgi |
| Contributors | Architecture, Emmons, Paul F., Foote, Jonathan D., Piedmont-Palladino, Susan C., Feuerstein, Marcia F. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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