Social and political change, a belief in progress and ideals, but also fear and uncertainty characterize the time ”between kidney-shaped tables and postmodernity“, as the architecture critic Wolfgang Kil once aptly described the 1960s and 70s. The new departure was especially evident in architecture: a building boom and technical progress led to a veritable euphoria about the future and to a willingness to experiment.
In the meantime, however, the buildings and facilities from that time have proven in many cases to be a burden, requiring expensive renovation. Forward-looking solutions are needed for the careful redevelopment and adaptation of the existing buildings to modern-day requirements. This is a good enough reason to address, without prejudice, an architectural heritage that has had a significant regional impact, but which is often all too easily dismissed as inferior.
With a comprehensive catalog section and well-founded contributions about this time, this book raises awareness of the merits of a creative and daring architecture. The unique fundamental work is intended to encourage public discussion and therefore to contribute to appreciating and preserving the architecture of the 1960s and 70s in Lower Saxony.