Munich: Ludwig Maximilian University

Erweiterungsbau der LMU, 1906-1910. Architekt: German Bestelmeyer
Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer. Photo: Daniela Christmann

1906 – 1910

Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Amalienstraße 54-58, Munich, Germany

Background

In 1826, King Ludwig I of Bavaria decided on a new building for the Ludwig Maximilian University, which was to be erected at the northern end of Ludwigstrasse, which was only half completed at the time.

Friedrich von Gärtner was commissioned in 1827 to submit a design for the new building of the University of Munich.

In 1835, construction of the building, which was designed for a capacity of about 1,500 students, began.

Extension Buildings

As early as 1873, extensions proved to be unavoidable due to the constantly growing number of students.

In addition to a whole series of other buildings, Emanuel Seidel’s extension, which was built between 1897 and 1898 as a western continuation of the university’s north wing along Adalbertstraße, is particularly worthy of mention.

From 1886 onwards, the university also attempted to overcome the ever-increasing problem of the lack of space through the targeted purchase of land.

Land Acquisitions

In order to be able to develop a contiguous area for a new university building, properties on Amalienstrasse and Adalbertstrasse in the immediate western vicinity of the original Gärtner Building came into question.

By 1902, the university had already succeeded in acquiring ten plots of land in this area.

In 1907, it succeeded in purchasing the last missing plots of land, so that the planned new building could begin.

German Bestelmeyer

Between 1906 and 1910, the university building was extended westwards towards Amalienstraße according to the plans of the young architect German Bestelmeyer.

Bestelmeyer was an assessor at the University Construction Office in Munich at the time.

Before he received the commission to extend the university, Bestelmeyer had already participated in various architectural and monument competitions.

Decoration

This had led to contacts with visual artists and craftsmen who were now involved in the artistic decoration of the extension building. Among them were the painter Wilhelm Köppen (mosaic floor in the atrium) and the sculptor Bernhard Bleeker (portrait sculptures on the staircase of the atrium).

The artists Josef Flossmann, Georg Albertshofer, Hermann Hahn and Ulfert Janssen were also among the participating artists.

Together with the painter Wilhelm Köppen and the sculptor Ulfert Janssen, Bestelmeyer undertook a study trip to Florence, the occasion of which was the artistic decoration of the assembly hall.

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

Extension Ludwig Maximilian University, 1906-1910. Architect: German Bestelmeyer

 

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