Designed and constructed by French architect André Lurçat in a communist Paris suburb, the Karl Marx School was celebrated and described as “the most beautiful school in France” upon its inauguration in 1933.
Designed and constructed by French architect André Lurçat in a communist Paris suburb, the Karl Marx School was celebrated and described as “the most beautiful school in France” upon its inauguration in 1933.
Designed according to functionalist principles that emphasized the logic and simplicity of the forms, Lurçat’s design draws attention to the buildings’ clarity by maximizing the contributions of natural light.
Designed according to functionalist principles that emphasized the logic and simplicity of the forms, Lurçat’s design draws attention to the buildings’ clarity by maximizing the contributions of natural light.
By the 1990s, though continuously occupied by various schools, the poorly maintained complex was in danger of being lost. In 1996, the Karl Marx School was listed as a National Historical Monument in France, bringing new resources to undertake a restoration that would preserve the integrity of the structures while adapting them to new regulations. Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
By the 1990s, though continuously occupied by various schools, the poorly maintained complex was in danger of being lost. In 1996, the Karl Marx School was listed as a National Historical Monument in France, bringing new resources to undertake a restoration that would preserve the integrity of the structures while adapting them to new regulations. Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Following completion and reopening, students are enjoying their restored and reimagined spaces, and teachers have developed increased interest in the social relevance of architecture. Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Following completion and reopening, students are enjoying their restored and reimagined spaces, and teachers have developed increased interest in the social relevance of architecture. Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Photo by Priska Schmückle von Minckwitz.
Valuing Our Modern Treasures
The WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize is part of WMF’s broader programming to address the challenges faced by modern sites through advocacy, education, and conservation, which today includes the World Monuments Watch and Modern Century. The prize originated from WMF’s Modernism at Risk initiative, which was created in response to increasing threats to modern buildings, including neglect, perceived obsolescence, inappropriate alterations, and demolition.
