“German Field Study: Bauhaus and Modern Architecture Tour” by Professor Hsu, Ming-Sung, Department of Architecture, Ming Chuan University

Joining Professor Ming-Sung Hsu from Ming Chuan University’s Department of Architecture on an in-depth architectural field study tour in Germany was a truly rare and invaluable learning opportunity. From the birthplace of the Bauhaus to iconic modernist landmarks, this journey went beyond site visits—it was an immersive walk through the history and cultural context of architecture.

As the saying goes, “Reading ten thousand books is not as useful as traveling ten thousand miles.” Only by stepping into these architectural spaces, experiencing their proportions, materials, and the play of light and shadow, can we truly grasp the design intentions and spirit of the masters. Through insightful on-site lectures and collaborative discussions with peers, knowledge came alive—transforming into personal architectural understanding.

Here’s a glimpse of Professor Hsu’s thoughtfully curated itinerary:

3/31
Arrival at Frankfurt Airport at 06:50 AM.
Visits to:

Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2021) – a center of the German Art Nouveau movement

Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch (UNESCO, 1991)

Weißenhof Estate (1927)

Staatsgalerie Stuttgart (1984, James Stirling)

University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart – New Building (1994, James Stirling)

4/1
Visits to:

Bauhaus in Weimar (UNESCO, 1996/2017)

Haus am Horn (1923, Georg Muche)

Memorial to the Fallen Soldiers (1920, Walter Gropius – destroyed by Nazis in 1936, reconstructed post-1945)

4/2
Visits to:

Bauhaus Museum Weimar (2019, Heike Hanada & Benedict Tonon)

Weimar Old Town (UNESCO, 1998)

Goethe House
(Hoping to stay in a new hotel converted from the original Bauhaus student dormitory)

4/3
Visits to:

Bauhaus Dessau and Masters’ Houses (1926, Walter Gropius, UNESCO 1996/2017)

Employment Office Dessau (1929, Walter Gropius – now the Public Safety Office)

Bauhaus Museum Dessau (2019, González Hinz Zabala)

4/4
Around the Altes Museum:

Altes Museum (1823–28, Karl Friedrich Schinkel)

Neue Wache (1816–18, Schinkel)

Schauspielhaus (1818–21, Schinkel)

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (2005, Peter Eisenman)

Brandenburg Gate (1788–1791)

4/5
Berlin Philharmonic District:

Philharmonie (1960–63, Hans Scharoun)

Kammermusiksaal (1984–87, Scharoun & Edgar Wisniewski)

Staatsbibliothek (1967–78, Scharoun & Wisniewski)

Neue Nationalgalerie (1965–68, Mies van der Rohe)

Social Science Research Center Berlin (1984–87, James Stirling & Michael Wilford)

Shell-Haus (1930–31, Emil Fahrenkamp)
Overnight in Berlin

4/6
Visits to:

Bonjour Tristesse (1984, Álvaro Siza)

Hufeisensiedlung (Horseshoe Estate) (UNESCO, 1925–27, Bruno Taut)

Schaubühne Theater (1927–28, Erich Mendelsohn)

4/7
Visits to:

Wohnzeilen Housing (1926–27, Mies van der Rohe)

Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde (LEA) (1928–29, Hans Müller)

AEG Turbine Factory (1908–09, Peter Behrens)

St. Johanniskirche (1832–35, Schinkel)

4/8
Depart Berlin for Dresden.
Visits to:

Semperoper Dresden (Gottfried Semper, 1841; rebuilt 1878 and 1985)

Zwinger Palace (Pöppelmann, 1728; Semper, 1885)

Frauenkirche Dresden

Procession of Princes mural, Augustus Bridge

New Synagogue Dresden (1997, Wandel – Hoefer Lorch + Hirsch)

4/9
Visit Bamberg (UNESCO World Heritage Site, ~3 hours’ drive from Dresden) and the green belt around Nuremberg’s old town.

4/10
Explore Nuremberg Old Town and Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
Drive to Frankfurt (~3 hours).

4/12
Return flight to Taiwan at 11:20 AM.

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