The story of modernist architects in East Central Europe The first half of the twentieth century witnessed the rise of modernist architects. Brokers of Modernity reveals how East Central Europe turned into one of the pre-eminent testing grounds of the new belief system of modernism. By combining the internationalism of the CIAM organization and the modernising aspirations of the new states built after 1918, the reach of modernist architects extended far beyond their established fields. Yet, these architects paid a price when Europe’s age of extremes intensified. Mainly drawing on Polish, but also wider Central and Eastern European cases, this book delivers a pioneering study of the dynamics of modernist architects as a group, including how they became qualified, how they organized, communicated and attempted to live the modernist lifestyle themselves. In doing so, Brokers of Modernity raises questions concerning collective work in general and also invites us to examine the social role of architects today. The first half of the twentieth century witnessed the rise of modernist architects. Brokers of Modernity reveals how East Central Europe turned into one of the pre-eminent testing grounds of the new belief system of modernism. By combining the internationalism of the CIAM organization and the modernising aspirations of the new states built after 1918, the reach of modernist architects extended far beyond their established fields. Yet, these architects paid a price when Europe’s age of extremes intensified. Mainly drawing on Polish, but also wider Central and Eastern European cases, this book delivers a pioneering study of the dynamics of modernist architects as a group, including how they became qualified, how they organized, communicated and attempted to live the modernist lifestyle themselves. In doing so, Brokers of Modernity raises questions concerning collective work in general and also invites us to examine the social role of architects today. Note on Translation Abbreviations Introduction Brokers of Modernity Why Modernist Architects? Modernist Architects and Modernity Thematic and Temporal Structures 1. Modernity in Eastern Europe – East European Modernism? The European East – Sketches of a Projection screen East Central Europe – A Space of Crisis? The Post-Monarchic State and the Legacy of the War Eastern Modernity Conclusion 2. Architects as Experts of the Social: A new Type entering the European Scene New Tasks for Architects Architects and the Rise of the Modern Expert Training Modern Architects The Rise of Scientific Urbanism and the Self-Empowerment of Architects The Lure of the Machine Themes of Change – Architecture as Technology: Rationalization, Planning, and Technocracy 89 Conclusion 3. Organising New Architectural Goals Organising Architects in a New State Architecture in a New Key – the CIAM Self-empowerment – the CIAM and its Polish Group CIAM-Universalism or Eastern Fast-track? The CIAM-Ost Realizers – the WSM as Interface Conclusion 4. Communicating Social Change through Architecture The Spatial Structure of the New Discourse on Architecture The Abstract Heritage of the First World War and the Logic of the Media Architectural Journals and Books as Architectural Programme Travelling, Gathering, Thinking Alike: Architects as Modern Men Communicating Problems and Solutions via Language and Exhibitions Conclusion Gallery with Plates 5. Materialising the International Agenda: Warszawa Funkcjonalna The CIAM IV Moment – Politics Coming in Realising the Novel: The Functionalist Laboratory of Zlín The Idea of the Functional City Warszawa Funkcjonalna Conclusion 6. Under Pressure: Modernist Architects and the Rise of Political Extremes Questioned Loyalties and Strained International Exchange Continuity and Rupture – the Onslaught on Warsaw Personal Toll and Collaboration Windows of Opportunity: Warsaw as a Post-catastrophic City Old Bonds and new Attention: Warsaw as a Realized Utopia? 2 Conclusion Epilogue Acknowledgements Notes Bibliography Illustration Credits Index