Karl Langer
Modern Architect and Migrant in the Australian Tropics
Published on 9. February 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
328 pages
978-1-350-28036-6 (ISBN)
Description
Fleeing Europe in 1939 for the Australian state of Queensland, the architect Karl Langer (1903-1969) found himself positioned at the very edge of both European and Australian modernism.
Confronted by tropical heat and glare, the economics of affordable housing, fiercely proud regional architectural practices, and a suspicion of the foreign, Langer moulded the European language of international modernism to the unique climatic and social conditions of tropical Australia.
Published as part of the Bloomsbury Studies in Modern Architecture series, which brings to light the work of significant yet overlooked modernist architects, this book is both an examination of Langer's work and international legacy, and also a case study in tropical modernism and the trans-global dissemination of design ideas - revealing how Langer sought to reconcile his training in international modernism with a fascination for the formal and visual languages of a regional culture, context, and climate.
Confronted by tropical heat and glare, the economics of affordable housing, fiercely proud regional architectural practices, and a suspicion of the foreign, Langer moulded the European language of international modernism to the unique climatic and social conditions of tropical Australia.
Published as part of the Bloomsbury Studies in Modern Architecture series, which brings to light the work of significant yet overlooked modernist architects, this book is both an examination of Langer's work and international legacy, and also a case study in tropical modernism and the trans-global dissemination of design ideas - revealing how Langer sought to reconcile his training in international modernism with a fascination for the formal and visual languages of a regional culture, context, and climate.
Reviews / Votes
This lavishly-illustrated volume is a fine piece of transnational architectural history writing, documenting the fascinating trajectory of a migrant architect who imported innovative ideas from cosmopolitan Vienna to the provincial Australian tropics and produced work of remarkable local sensitivity. * Johan Lagae, Ghent University, Belgium * A compelling, innovative and timely story of migration, politics and creative collaboration from occupied Vienna to the tropics of Australia. This impressive constellation of authors each bring a fascinating, and carefully researched dimension to the Karl Langer story, not forgetting the crucial contribution made by Gertrude Langer. * Iain Jackson, University of Liverpool, UK *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
142 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
700 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-28036-6 (9781350280366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Deborah van der Plaat | John MacArthur
Karl Langer
Modern Architect and Migrant in the Australian Tropics
E-Book
12/2021
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€32.99
Available for download
Deborah van der Plaat | John MacArthur
Karl Langer
Modern Architect and Migrant in the Australian Tropics
E-Book
12/2021
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€32.99
Available for download
Persons
Deborah van der Plaat is Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the School of Architecture, the University of Queensland, Australia.
John Macarthur is Professor of Architecture and Director of Research in the School of Architecture, the University of Queensland, Australia.
John Macarthur is Professor of Architecture and Director of Research in the School of Architecture, the University of Queensland, Australia.
Content
List of Illustrations
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: Modern and Migrant Architect, Deborah van der Plaat and John Macarthur (University of Queensland Australia)
2. Karl Langer and Vienna, Philip Goad (University of Melbourne, Australia), Andrew McNamara (Queensland University of Technology, Australia) and Andrew Wilson (University of Queensland, Australia)
3. Australia is our fate, Fiona Gardiner and Don Watson (University of Queensland, Australia)
4. Bend like bamboo: Always bounce back, Don Watson and Fiona Gardiner (University of Queensland, Australia)
5. The spell of the sunny south, the urge for 'light, sun and air.' Karl Langer's Australian writings, Deborah van der Plaat (University of Queensland, Australia)
6. Bridging Continents: Karl Langer's contributions to housing, Andrew Wilson (University of Queensland, Australia)
7. Man about Town, Robert Riddel (University of Queensland, Australia)
8. A Touch of Vienna, a Pinch of America, and a Whiff of Exoticism. Karl Langer's Architecture for Leisure and Lifestyle in Australia, Janina Gosseye (TUDelft, The Netherlands)
9. A League of His Own: Karl Langer's Landscape Australia, Andrew Saniga (University of Melbourne, Australia)
Bibliography
Index
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: Modern and Migrant Architect, Deborah van der Plaat and John Macarthur (University of Queensland Australia)
2. Karl Langer and Vienna, Philip Goad (University of Melbourne, Australia), Andrew McNamara (Queensland University of Technology, Australia) and Andrew Wilson (University of Queensland, Australia)
3. Australia is our fate, Fiona Gardiner and Don Watson (University of Queensland, Australia)
4. Bend like bamboo: Always bounce back, Don Watson and Fiona Gardiner (University of Queensland, Australia)
5. The spell of the sunny south, the urge for 'light, sun and air.' Karl Langer's Australian writings, Deborah van der Plaat (University of Queensland, Australia)
6. Bridging Continents: Karl Langer's contributions to housing, Andrew Wilson (University of Queensland, Australia)
7. Man about Town, Robert Riddel (University of Queensland, Australia)
8. A Touch of Vienna, a Pinch of America, and a Whiff of Exoticism. Karl Langer's Architecture for Leisure and Lifestyle in Australia, Janina Gosseye (TUDelft, The Netherlands)
9. A League of His Own: Karl Langer's Landscape Australia, Andrew Saniga (University of Melbourne, Australia)
Bibliography
Index