Interdisciplinary perspectives on the “Darmstadt Conversation” of 1951

The “Darmstadt Conversations” were one of the central formats for intellectual exchange after 1945. The 1951 “Conversation” was of particular significance. Under the title “Man and Space,” an attempt was made to bring philosophy and architecture into dialogue in light of the postwar destruction. The “Conversation” addressed the question of how reconstruction should proceed in two ways. An architecture exhibition on the Mathildenhöhe in August and September presented a variety of buildings of classical modernism (including works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Le Corbusier) and showcased the plans for new public buildings, the eleven so-called “Darmstadt Master Buildings” (including designs by Paul Bonatz, Hans Schwippert, Max Taut, and Ernst Neufert). Of these, five were realized and are still in use today.

The intellectual exchange itself was concentrated over two days and organized around four extended lectures addressing fundamental questions of architecture: the architects Otto Ernst Schweizer and Rudolf Schwarz, as well as the philosophers José Ortega y Gasset and Martin Heidegger, spoke, each followed by extensive discussions documented in transcripts (Bartning 1952). While the conversation among the architects present was characterized by critique and friendly polemics, the response to the philosophical contributions was limited; only Dolf Sternberger directly attacked Heidegger's lecture. Heidegger's decision to present a Black Forest farmhouse as an example of a successful (albeit “former”) form of housing stands in stark and apparently deliberate contrast to the designs of Classical Modernism shown in the exhibition, which, employing state-of-the-art techniques and materials, were intended to serve urban living and working. The fact that Heidegger's “Building Dwelling Thinking” provoked his contemporaries, however, did not diminish the critical reception of the lecture. Measured by its impact, Heidegger's contribution to the “Darmstadt Conversation” can undoubtedly be considered the most important contribution by a philosopher to architectural theory in the 20th century, possessing an immense history of influence.

To mark its 75th anniversary, the conference explores the philosophical significance, historical impact, and contemporary relevance of the Darmstadt Dialogue on “Man and Space.” The interdisciplinary conference includes contributions from philosophy, architectural studies and history, and also involves practicing architects.

The event is being held in cooperation with FiF.

Where: Residenzschloss Darmstadt, S 312/11

When: 28th and 29th May 2026

For more Information on the program schedule please refer to the website of the Institute for Philosophy. Please note that this website is only available in german.