Architectural collection at the Palais de Chaillot, Trocadero, Paris.

One of the great tourist attractions in Paris lies in Trocadero, the Palais de Chaillot. The palace was partially rebuilt and remodeled in 1937 for the Exposition Internationale in a classical moderne style we would call Art Deco. However, tourists aren't there for the building itself but generally for the best view in town of the Eiffel Tower just across the river.

While tourists jockeyed for selfies in front of the tower I was admiring the crisp neoclassical details and these fantastic gilded statues gracing the courtyard.

8 gilded statues above fountains showing the 'rights of man' flank this terrace. I didn't come just for the Eiffel Tower views though but rather to see an amazing exhibit in the Paris Architectural Museum housed in Chaillot.

I'm not sure how in all of my travels to Paris I had never visited this museum (which was completely deserted, btw) but am so glad I can now add it to my Parisian repertoire.

The exhibit I'm speaking of is the "Masterworks of Architectural Drawing from the Albertina Museum" - a who's who of design history and quite the collection on view in Paris only until March 16, 2020.

Get up close and personal with these incredible drawings such as this rendering of the Hofburg in Vienna.

This stock exchange above for St Petersburg was designed by Giacomo Quarenghi in 1783 but never finished due to funding.

On the modern spectrum of the collection is the model by architect Adolf Loos in 1927 for Josephine Baker's unbuilt townhouse in Paris. 

Loos was a fan of Bakers and designed the townhouse gratis which may explain why it was never built!

Above is only a detail shot of an amazingly detailed painting from 1793 of the Augustus Bridge in Dresden by Johann Gottfried Klinsky. His accurate depiction of Dresden beyond the bridge is pretty amazing;  Compare the Frauenkirche with photos from a post I wrote in 2010 HERE.

I can never get enough of floorplans, even landscape plans. This plan of the Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens date to 1736 by both Dominique and Philipp Girard. 

Trained at Versailles, Dominique was a landscape architect who specialized in water features.  Starting in 1715 he began work at Nymphenburg which was later documented by his son Philipp in this painting in 1736; one of many gardens throughout Europe which were based on Versailles.

Each structure in the garden is carefully rendered and noted to a legend.

The pavilion above is reminiscent of the French Pavilion at the Petit Trianon at Versailles. See photos of that structure from my visit in 2009 HERE.

There are numerous other landscape plans with great details such as the scene above.

This gate was designed for the Beloeil Palace in Belgian by Charles de Wailly in 1782; unfortunately never built because of the French Revolution.

Antonio Galli-Bibiena designed this baroque theatrical backdrop in 1745.

Antonio Canova's monument for the archduchess was immortalized in this drawing by Domenico del Frate in 1805. 

Clemens Holzmeister designed an over-the-top cathedral in 1942 that towered 150 meters high made of reinforced concrete that could hold 14,000 worshipers.  Notice the scale figures of people in the drawing. 

Besides this exhibit which will be closing shortly, sadly, the museum has an enormous collection of plaster architectural fragments such as this copy of an arch at the Hotel de Rohan les Chavaux du Soleil above. One could spend all day wandering around the permanent collection.

A number of plaster architectural models dot the halls as well.

If you haven't been don't delay your visit to the Cite de l'architecture & du Patrimoine at Trocadero -you won't regret it!

Can you rebuild the past? The Berlin Schloss

A debate has raged in Berlin for the past 2 decades over whether to rebuild the historic Berlin Schloss or City Palace on historic Museum Island. Badly damaged during WWII, the communists tore down the palace in 1950 to make way for their Palace of the Republic, a hideous steel, glass, & asbestos multi-use structure which was recently, in-turn, torn down.

The Schloss had served as a public art museum since 1918 but was started in 1443 as a royal palace. Constantly renovated over hundreds of years, the exterior stayed fixed to the baroque period while the interiors reflected the styles of the day. The dome was rebuilt in the mid 19th century by none other than the architect Karl Shinkel in collaboration with Stuler.

Many people have debated rebuilding the historic structure because they claim it has overtones of the previous monarchy, but what monument in Europe isn't tainted by history? In these photos you see photographs of a model of what is currently under construction taken by my Australian Penpal at the neighboring Bode Museum in Berlin.

What these people seem to want is a building of our own age -much as the communists wanted in their construction of the Palace of the Republic. Would they want someone like Frank Gehry (heaven forbid) to build something that doesn't match the historic area in the center of the city and would be reviled in 10 years time (as well as now)?

The compromise has come about that the exterior will be built to closely match the former palace with modern interiors which will house a modern, non-western art museum. The costly exterior recreation will be done mainly through private donations which have nearly been fulfilled and plans to be finished in 2019.

The undertaking is gargantuan as can be expected for such a massive building site. The exterior carved stonework has been meticulously copied from historic photos and paintings. Each piece must be modeled full-size in clay (which takes about a month) and approved by a panel before being carved in sandstone by masons (each small piece can take up to 2 months by one artisan).

 Here you can see 1 of 43 required eagles which will adorn the facade.

The workmanship is amazing; encouraging to know it exists in this day and age! The sandstone cartouche above took a mason 2 months to complete. Talk about job security!

Above you can see construction from last month. What do you think -would you have decided to rebuild the historic palace to fit within this historic district or hired a modern day architect to build something new?
See more images of the building's past and future HERE.
This article in the WSJ details the controversy in more detail.

Architectural Models from Chisel & Mouse - now in miniature AND Frank Lloyd Wright

I recently found out some very exciting shopping news that will have many of you reaching for your wallets: One of my favorite companies, Chisel & Mouse that produces architectural models, has expanded their line to include not only miniature models but also projects by Frank Lloyd Wright!

I was surprised to arrive home last week and find a large box from sponsor Chisel & Mouse with 4 samples of their delightful and now miniature models.  All four are of well known Frank Lloyd Wright projects here within the United States.

The first I'm showing here in 4 different locations throughout my apartment is the V.C. Morris Gift Shop in San Francisco (that I'm very excited to be able to visit while on vacation in California next week!). Expanding on their idea now that many of their models can be wall mounted (as shown above) all of these include a discrete hanging spot on the back for easy display.

The wide base also allows them to sit on a mantel, bookshelf, nestled in a tablescape, desktop, or wherever you choose.

 I think their best seller will probably be this highly detailed model of the NYC Guggenheim Museum.

One of the most impressive projects by Frank Lloyd Wright is his Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL which I visited while in college.  Here you see it resting on my bookshelf where all 4 models have ended up -an impressive collection.

I think these miniature models make the perfect host /hostess gift and just in time for summer houseguest season!  Check out these and other models on their website: Chisel & Mouse. Tell them Architect Design sent you and receive a 10% discount with code "arcdesign"

Chisel & Mouse: at it again!

You may remember me talking about Chisel & Mouse before and now the guys at Chisel & Mouse are at it again; this time transforming many of their beautiful plaster architectural models to hanging. Above you can see their version of the entrance to Buckingham Palace on one of my bookshelves but also hanging on my wall below.

They're constantly adding new models to their inventory and improving existing models. Also, the new models are signed and dated. Loving these guys and can't wait to see what they come up with next!