Villa von Greta und Fritz Tugendhat

Während seines Aufenthalts in Brünno als eines der Jurymitglieder für die Brno Biennale 2018, bot sich Lars Harmsen die Chance die Villa von Greta und Fritz Tugendhat zu besuchen. Gestaltet wurde sie vom Architekten Ludwig Mies van der Rohe und wurde in den Jahren 1929 bis 1930 erbaut. Sie ist bislang das einzige moderne Bauwerk in der Tschechischen Republik, das in die Liste der UNESCO-Weltkulturerben aufgenommen wurde.

While I was in Brno for the Biennale the opportune was given to visit the Villa of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat, designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and built in 1929–1930. It is a monument of modern architecture, and the only example of modern architecture in the Czech Republic inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.

Fritz Tugendhat (1895-1958) and his wife Grete, maiden name Löw-Beer (1903–1970), came from Jewish-German families of industrialists and traders who had lived in Brno for several generations. Grete was the one primarily interested in addressing the commission to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and had the support of her husband. “I truly longed for a modern spacious house with clear and simple shapes. My husband was horrified by the idea of having rooms full of objects and cloths as he had known from childhood.” 1938 the Tugendhats were forced to emigrate in connection with the threat of World War II.

Between 2010 and 2012 the Villa Tugendhat underwent renovation and restoration work, during which both the structure and the adjoining gardens were restored to their original appearance following the completion of the Villa in 1930. The interiors have been equipped with exact replicas of the original furnishings.