Paul Schneider-Esleben

Paul Schneider-Esleben (1915–2005) is one of the architects who had a significant influence on post-war modernism, the construction of megaprojects in concrete, high-tech architecture, and building in the historical fabric.

His Mannesmann high-rise in Dusseldorf (1954–1958) was Germany’s first steel frame structure with a curtain wall. Schneider-Esleben was innovative both technically and conceptually: while he viewed the Roland School in Dusseldorf (1957–1961) as a project for pedagogical reform and hence gained the cooperation of avant-garde artists from the ZERO group, along with Joseph Beuys, for Köln-Bonn Airport (1962–1971) he developed such a convincing traffic concept that he was soon being called upon to act as advisor to airport projects worldwide. Even though most of Schneider-Esleben’s buildings still survive, the demolition of his ARAG headquarters in Dusseldorf highlights the persistent debate on the heritage value of post-war modernism.

To mark what would have been his hundredth birthday, the Architekturmuseum TUM presents the first retrospective of Paul Schneider-Esleben’s work, drawing on the extensive estate acquired by the museum in 2006. The exhibition presents the career of a versatile architect who was an extraordinarily gifted draftsman as well as a creative designer not only of buildings but also of furniture and jewelry. The exhibition catalogue, published by Hatje Cantz Verlag, features numerous illustrations along with essays by Adrian von Buttlar, Sara Hayat, Regine Heß, Ursula Ringleben, Wolfgang Voigt, Jurgen Wiener, Karin Wilhelm, and others.

16 July – 18 October2015
opening on July 15, h. 7.00 p.m.
Paul Schneider-Esleben: Architect
with the support of: Kunststiftung NRW, Kulturstiftung der Länder, PIN. Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne e.V., Förderverein des Architekturmuseums der TU Munchen, Wustenrot Stiftung Siedle
Architekturmuseum der TU Munchen
Arcisstraße 21, Munchen