crown CU Home > Libraries Home
Columbia Center for Oral History Portal >

Oral history interview with Fritz Thormann, 2009.

Creator: Thormann, Fritz, 1930-
Project: Atelier 5 (Firm) oral history project.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :transcript 21 pages 1 electronic file : digital file (80 minutes).
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
Full CLIO record >>

Biographical Note

Architect.

Scope and Contents

Initial career in architecture: unsuccessful application to work at Brechbühler firm, employment with Niklaus Morgenthaler, Haefeli, Steiger, and Moser, Atelier 5; Siedlung Halen: construction, quality of life for residents; adaptations made to later designs; tension between designs to satisfy both current and future needs of customer; shift from career as architect to urban designer; Brunnadern housing project; Ried housing development; discussion of projects in other countries; challenges in allocation of land for low-density single-family homes; Atelier 5 experiment to live in home three meters wide; influence of architect Le Corbusier; challenges of urban design and density in Paris; discussion of communal living environment in Siedlung Halen; changes in social living arrangements and the need for flexibility in housing; benefits of working in team environment.

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright held by: The Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York. Permission required to cite, quote, and reproduce. Contact repository for information.

Using this collection

Columbia Center for Oral History

Address:
Columbia University
535 West 114th Street
801 Butler Library, Box 20
MC1129
New York, NY 10027
Telephone:
(212) 854-7083

Email:
oralhist
@libraries.cul.columbia.edu

Website:
Columbia Center for Oral History