Dächerstreit

“It is curious how these two roof forms were pitted against one another in the past century, [...] [they] consequently corresponded—at least initially—to related conceptions of life, before these evolved into opposing social agendas and turned the roofs into symbols in the struggle for supremacy, which culminated in horror.” (Markus Grob)

Markus Grob traces the history of 20th-century architecture through a series of single-family homes. He analyzes their roofs—which are either steep or flat—as forms that emerged from the 19th century, whose opposition culminates in a “roof dispute.” In doing so, he offers a new, unprecedented perspective on the architectural history of the past century and on its settlement patterns, including suburbs, suburbs, and urban agglomerations. 
Seventeen photographs taken by the author during walks are accompanied by detailed captions.