Konstruktion Argentina: A Documentary on German Influence in Argentine Construction

James Wright retraces the steps of Walter Gropius in the new documentary Konstruktion Argentina. The film explores various Argentine architectural works, revealing their German influence.

Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, and Berlin are some of the settings where the journey takes place.

“I was always surrounded by engineers and architects. As a child, I visited massive construction sites with heavy machinery, hundreds of workers, unfamiliar sounds, light, and shadow. The premise of tracing Walter Gropius’s footsteps in Argentina led me to discover that the German influence on our country's building culture was present in a wide variety of buildings. Not only did the French, Italians, and Spaniards leave their mark, but the German presence also enabled the construction of many of those majestic works,” reflects director and screenwriter Fernando Molnar.

With striking cinematography, the viewer can contemplate otherwise nearly inaccessible corners of these works: presidential corridors, underground chambers, bird’s-eye views, and bank vaults are some of the treasures Molnar brings us closer to.

Several projects designed by heavyweights of Argentine architecture—such as Bustillo, Bunge, Kálnay, and the Vilar brothers—were built in collaboration with German companies. The formula: Argentine design + German construction, is repeated across the country, reaching the most unexpected places.  

Nearly 100 years have passed since Gropius founded the Bauhaus, the school of architecture, art, design, and building. Its influence can be seen in many Argentine works. But other German architects were also part of constructing iconic national buildings. Who were they? How far did German influence reach?

Direction and Screenplay: Fernando Molnar
Production: Daniel Andrés Werner
Cinematography: Tomás Ridilenir
Editing: Alejo Santos
Sound: Nahuel Palenque
Cast: James Wright
Voiceover: Ivo Marusczyk
Research and Archives: Melina Abrutin