Description

Book Synopsis

Millions of people around the globe live in Plattenbau structures. The majority of these were constructed in the second half of the twentieth century and always went hand in hand with lofty ambitions. They were intended to alleviate the housing shortage and to make daily life simpler. Often, however, the planned cities of the future came to symbolise failed utopias. The hoped-for social mixing largely failed to materialise and residents often felt marginalised. Christoph Montebelli (b. 1980) visited four Plattenbau housing estates on four continentsin Berlin, Hong Kong, Havana, and Zanzibar and through his photographs explores the relationship between aspiration and reality. Free from oversimplification or prejudice, Plattenbau Promenades conveys powerful insight into these architectural enfants terribles and illustrates the dynamic interaction between local features, visions of an architectural aesthetic, and the people who live there.

Text in English and German.

Christoph Montebelli

    Product form

    Format Hardback

    £30.00

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £40.00 – you save £10.00 (25%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 29 Oct 2026.

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Christoph Montebelli by

      Book details

      Publisher Kerber Verlag
      Published 11 January 2024
      ISBN-13 9783735609830
      978-3735609830
      ISBN-10 373560983X
      Also in:
      Individual photographers

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Millions of people around the globe live in Plattenbau structures. The majority of these were constructed in the second half of the twentieth century and always went hand in hand with lofty ambitions. They were intended to alleviate the housing shortage and to make daily life simpler. Often, however, the planned cities of the future came to symbolise failed utopias. The hoped-for social mixing largely failed to materialise and residents often felt marginalised. Christoph Montebelli (b. 1980) visited four Plattenbau housing estates on four continentsin Berlin, Hong Kong, Havana, and Zanzibar and through his photographs explores the relationship between aspiration and reality. Free from oversimplification or prejudice, Plattenbau Promenades conveys powerful insight into these architectural enfants terribles and illustrates the dynamic interaction between local features, visions of an architectural aesthetic, and the people who live there.

      Text in English and German.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account