Dealing with history and the resulting reaction to historical buildings played a key role in Günther Domenig’s architectural work. Approaches to reformulating the existing, redefining the old and the development of his own strong attitude combined to shape the architect’s engagement with pre-existing architecture, which he worked on for many decades. In doing so, Domenig developed a method characterised by contrast to the existing substance, driven by the courage to follow his own path, and which gave visibility and current relevance to the historical. He was concerned with creating a clear and strong architectural position that is undoubtedly determined by the motif of intervention and breakthrough – as seen most clearly in his Nuremberg intervention – while at the same time developing an approach marked by distance and respect for the pre-existing structures. His explorations during the course of many projects over the years – several conversions of branches for the shoe chain Humanic, Schloss Neuhaus, the Heft and others – culminated in the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg. Here the political dimension becomes clear through an architectural, sculptural and artistic position; Günther Domenig was also working on the biographical moment of his family’s National Socialist beliefs.
© Photo: Gerald Zugmann
