The Alte Pinakothek of Munich.Creation of new architecture over existing architecture

Abstract

After the Second World War, many German cities adopted reconstruction as the necessary response to the serious damage suffered by their buildings. In this context, restoration criteria that had been formulated in the past were frequently revisited, sparking debates about the best way to recover a severely damaged architectural heritage. This was the case of the Old Pinakothek in Munich, for which solutions were proposed such as rebuilding the building in its old form, erasing the damage caused by the war, or demolishing it to create a new building in accordance with the needs of the moment. The proposal adopted was that of the architect Hans Döllgast, with a creative solution that responded to functional needs while respecting the values ​​of the building. Throughout this article, Döllgast's reconstruction is analyzed, showing the keys to his use of creativity and contemporary language in architectural restoration, which facilitated the creation of a new architectural addition that coexists with the architecture of the past. To this end, the values ​​contained in the existing building designed by Leo von Klenze will be deciphered, verifying its state of conservation after Döllgast's intervention.