NZZ Examines Le Corbusier's Political Entanglements and Josef Kaiser's Hidden Nazi Past in East German Architecture

Le Corbusier, described as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, built his reputation on sculptural concrete structures and urban planning visions that shaped generations of architecture. His career involved complex political relationships: Benito Mussolini distrusted Le Corbusier's wavering allegiances, while Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appointed him as the architect of Chandigarh. A separate strand of the article concerns Josef Kaiser, identified as one of the most important state architects of the German Democratic Republic (DDR). Kaiser's Nazi past remained a closely guarded secret throughout his career in East Germany. The article also references DDR architecture more broadly, citing buildings such as the Restaurant Moskau and the Kino International, characterized by airy, lightweight pavilions with large glass surfaces and a formal severity combined with playful elements. The source is a feature published by the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) in its arts and architecture section.