Paul Schultze-Naumburg and the aesthetics of folkishness (Volkstum) in architecture and garden culture

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Werner Durth; Professor Dr. Gert Gröning
• Subject Area: Architecture, Building and Construction History, Construction Research, Sustainable Building Technology
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 320688869

Around 1900 the approaches to architectural and garden theory change. "Folkishness" (Volkstum), and "national identity" become the center of a new, holistic "expression culture" (Ferdinand Avenarius). Paul Schultze-Naumburg (1869 to 1949) a meaningful protagonist of this development is successful both in practical and theoretical fields. Head of the culture magazine "Kunstwart", art observer, author of the "Kulturarbeiten", culture studies, book series, club activist and owner of one of the largest (landscape) architecture firms in Germany, he is instrumental to spread the nationality paradigm in architecture and garden art. Even after World War One Schultze-Naumburg remains the center of activities. He states the basic principles of an approach to National Socialist architecture and landscape theory and heads the first higher art school with a National Socialist program.Until recently most architecture and landscape architecture scholars claimed Schultze-Naumburg's metamorphosis from influential representative of Wilhelminian cultural life to at times most important National Socialist art theorist reflected his categorical disruption with the principles which originally guided him. Recent research related to "folkishness modernism" suggests this view can no longer become maintained. Paul Schultze-Naumburg's work needs reconsideration which includes methods of discourse, network and design analysis. Within the context of this new paradigm the development of Schultze-Naumburg's theoretical and creative work will be reconsidered.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants