Neubauer, Christoph: The Reich Chancellery. A Work Analysis. Albert Speer. Volume 2: The Court of Honor/ New Reich Chancellery/ Interior/ Voßstraße 5/ 1937-1950

Since 1878, the various main buildings of the Reich Chancellery had been accessible via ceremonial courtyards. It was in these courtyardswhether fully exposed to view or screened from the outsidethat the Reich Chancellors guests were received. Following this architectural tradition, Albert Speer incorporated two such ceremonial courtyards into the New Reich Chancellery. The inner ceremonial courtyard described in this bookwhich was not open to the publicplayed a pivotal role in the sequence of the buildings state rooms. Speer regarded this courtyard as a key space within the New Reich Chancellerys overall architectural ensemble; it was here that visitors, en route to the ceremonial halls of the *Führerbau*, entered the first area of ??the Chancellery that was shielded from public view. Speer designed the courtyard to function simultaneously as an interior space and as an exterior façade areaa dual function that gave rise to a unique architectural form. This book details the entire construction history of the ceremonial courtyard, tracing its evolution from Albert Speers initial 1937 designs to the demolition of its final remaining façade in 1950. It provides a comprehensive account of the frequently revised plans, the construction process, subsequent alterations, and the courtyards ultimate destruction through warfare and demolition. Furthermore, the book analyzes the architecture of the courtyard in terms of its visual impact, examining both Speers distinctive use of artificial lighting and the unique façade features that resulted from the integration of pre-existing structures. This book series presents architectural analyses of works by the various architects involved in the Reich Chancellery project; the volumes are illustrated with numerous color computer renderings and historical photographs. Christoph Neubauer created the computer graphics to visually represent areas of the Reich Chancellery that do not appear in historical photographs. This enables the author to present every architectural detail he describes in vivid color illustrations. The primary focus of this book series is an analysis of the Reich Chancellery's architecture. The individual volumes are strictly categorized by architect, period of creation, and building section. As there is no prescribed reading order, readers are free to arrange the books themselves according to these various categories.