The Roxy-Palast in Friedenau in Berlin, constructed as a commercial building with a large integrated cinema between 1927 and 1929, is Martin Punitzer’s magnum opus. However, the Berlin architect—who was driven into exile in Chile in 1939 and is now largely forgotten—also left behind a much larger body work that has receives far less attention than it deserves. Integrating materials, colors, and light, he developed his own unique form of modern architecture and added a notable facet to the many-layered movements of the 1920s.
This book gives both the architect and his works the long-overdue comprehensive consideration and appreciation that they deserve. The first part of the volume covers Martin Punitzer’s life and architectural oeuvre, after which the second section turns the spotlight on “the Roxy”. Both chapters are illustrated with numerous schematics and photographs, including a number that have not previously been published.