Goetheanum, Basel, Switzerland

Rudolf Steiner’s Visionary Architecture Expressed in Concrete

Aug 13, 2008

The Goetheanum was designed by the 20th century visionary and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner. It is one of the earliest buildings to extensively use cast concrete.

The Goetheanum stands as an accusing reminder of just how unimaginative and dull much architecture using this most prosaic of construction materials has become. The flowing form of the building and its innovative design are remarkable.

History

The current Goetheanum was Rudolf Steiner’s second attempt to establish a main centre for his Anthroposophical Movement. The first attempt was a wooden construction which was constructed between 1913 and 1919, but was destroyed by Nazi arsonists on New Year’s Eve 1922.

Construction started on the Second Goetheanum in 1924 and the building was completed four years later, after Steiner’s death. In accordance with Steiner’s principles, the building is carefully set to harmonise with the surrounding Jura Mountains and to support the public performances within the 1000-seat auditorium within without unnecessary sound reinforcement. The building is a masterpiece of design – the form of nearly everything was created to harmonise with its function and surroundings. Thus the door handles are of a special shape reflecting the hand and arm that opens them, and the doors and windows are of a non-rectangular shape that broadly echoes the shape of key parts of the building itself.

Auditorium

The large auditorium has huge coloured-glass windows between the columns. The motifs on the windows are created by varying the thickness of the glass by carving and etching. This gives the glass unique and extremely intense colour – the different colours reflect the meaning of the motifs along Anthroposophical lines.

On the dome of the auditorium there is a large painting of mystical figures, painted using natural dyes made from plants grown within the Goetheanum gardens. This ceiling mural continues a tradition set with the ceiling of the first Goetheanum. The stage is oftne used for performances of eurythmy, a performance art developed by Rudolf Steiner.

As well as the auditorium the outer parts of the building host discussion rooms, art galleries and the administrative offices of the Anthroposophical Society set up by Rudolf Steiner.

Visiting the Goetheanum

A guided tour of the building (in German) runs at 2pm weekdays and Saturdays. On some Saturdays the tour is also available in English, depending on demand. Tickets can be purchased at the cafe

Getting to the Goetheanum

The Goetheanum is in Dornach near Basle in northern Switzerland. Travel along the H18 motorway from Basel towards Delemont and take the Reinach-Süd exit. Follow the signs to the Goetheanum. Parking is pay-and-display.

Take the S3 from Basel railway station direction Laufen and gte off at Dornach/Arlesheim. The Goetheanum is reached by walking about a mile uphill (or take the 66 bus)

Location

GPS Location

References

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