Kristin Feireiss facts for kids

Kristin Feireiss (1 July 1942 – 20 April 2025) was a German expert in architecture and design. She was a curator, writer, and editor. She helped create the Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin. This became a very important place for discussing architecture. She also led the Netherlands Architecture Institute. Kristin Feireiss was known for helping people understand architecture better. She encouraged new architects to share their ideas.

Life and Work

Kristin Feireiss was born in Berlin, Germany, on July 1, 1942. She started studying Art History in 1963. She went to Johann Wolfgang Goethe University and later Freie Universität Berlin. She finished her studies in 1967.

Early Career

In the late 1960s, Kristin Feireiss began working as a journalist. She wrote for cultural magazines and radio shows. From 1976 to 1980, she worked at the Internationales Design Zentrum Berlin. This center focused on design.

Aedes Architecture Forum

In 1980, she co-founded Aedes in Berlin. Aedes became one of Europe's most important places for architecture. It hosted exhibitions, events, and discussions. It helped people learn about new ideas in building design.

Important Roles

Kristin Feireiss held many important positions. She was the director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute from 1996 to 2001. She also worked with the Venice Biennale of Architecture. This is a big international art and architecture event. She was a commissioner for the Dutch Pavilion in 1996 and 2000. Later, she was a judge for the international jury in 2012.

She also served as a judge for the Pritzker Architecture Prize. This is one of the highest awards in architecture. She was a member of the European Cultural Parliament starting in 2007.

Writing and Publications

Kristin Feireiss wrote or co-wrote many books. One famous book was Architecture in Times of Need. She co-edited this book with actor Brad Pitt. It was about rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. This area was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Kristin Feireiss passed away on April 20, 2025. She was 82 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Kristin Feireiss received many honors for her work. In 1995, she won the Literature Prize of the DAI. On March 23, 2001, she received the Federal Cross of Merit. This is a high award in Germany.

In 2013, she was honored as a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This is a special award from the Netherlands. She also received an honorary doctorate in 2007. This was from the Carolo-Wilhelmina Technische Universität in Braunschweig. The university recognized her work as a journalist and curator. They also noted her role in connecting academic research with the public.

In 2016, she was given an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Selected Works

• Kristin Feireiss; Lukas Feireiss: Architecture of change: sustainability and humanity in the built environment. Die Gestalten, Berlin 2008, ISBN: 978-3-899-55211-9.
• Kristin Feireiss; Brad Pitt: Architecture in times of need: Make It Right rebuilding New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. Prestel, München 2009, ISBN: 978-3-791-34276-4.
• Wie ein Haus aus Karten. Die Neckermanns – meine Familiengeschichte. Ullstein, Berlin 2012, ISBN: 978-3-550-08899-5.