Creative head of post-war architecture: Hinrich Baller dies

Creative head of post-war architecture: Hinrich Baller dies

Hinrich Baller, an idiosyncratic architect of the post-war period, died on July 23, 2023 at the age of 89. His death caused a stir in various media. Baller leaves behind an extensive legacy in architecture, particularly in Berlin and Potsdam, where he designed many distinctive buildings, including residential buildings, shopping centers and the Philosophical Institute of the Free University. Reports from Deutschlandfunk culture underline that Baller was known for his skepticism towards right angles and preferred organics in architecture.

A notable facet of his career is his close collaboration with his former wife, Inken Baller. The joint work of the two architects was honored with the BDA Grand Prize, an award that recognizes the independent and ecological design approach in social housing Berlin newspaper reported.

A rise in architecture

Hinrich Baller was born in Stargard, Pomerania in 1936 and studied architecture and music at the Technical University in Charlottenburg, Berlin. His first realized building was a residential building in Hinwil, Switzerland, which was built in 1966 and is surrounded by lush greenery. With its rounded, sloping roof over a strict concrete building, Baller sets an example for its innovative and idiosyncratic architectural language.

From 1967 to 1989, the Baller architect couple ran a joint office in Berlin. Despite their divorce a few years after the company was founded, they remained close in architecture. In the 2020s, her work was recognized again, showing that her contribution to architecture has not been forgotten. The jury of the renowned BDA award also found that the influence of Hinrich and Inken Baller is unmistakable and that their works are still considered “exotic fringe publications” in specialist literature.

Post-war architecture

Baller's style is an outstanding example of postwar modernism, a term coined in the 1990s to classify the architecture of this period. This era shows significant references to classical and international modernism and is characterized by interesting trends that were influenced by the architectural scene in the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR. Especially in the 1960s, architecture was characterized by curtain walls and innovative materials. Baller's buildings set accents that testify to the environmentally conscious and social planning that can also be found in many modern urban concepts, as in the information on Wikipedia described.

His legacy, which was controversial among many, will be remembered in Berlin. The city had no shortage of discussions about his controversial structures, which were both loved and hated. This makes the impact of Baller's vision and creativity on the cityscape obvious.