Architectural Construction Sets, 1890–1990

This large interactive exhibition for children ages 4 and up was curated based on graphic designer Claus Krieger’s unique private collection, which includes approximately 150 building sets from the years 1890 to 1990.

It explores the idea that a kind of “evolutionary development” of building blocks gave rise to this abundance of building sets. Toy companies experimented with a wide variety of materials: artificial brick, wood, metal, but also long-forgotten materials such as galalith (“milkstone”) and even rubber were used. Countless ingenious variations were developed to create connections that were both durable and easy to take apart. Eventually, Lego perfected the interlocking principle, and most other companies disappeared.

Exclusively for this exhibition, selected building sets have been restored to working order. Building systems modeled after historical originals and created by students at HFT Stuttgart have recreated the valuable original building blocks from the “Ingenius,” “Bâtiss,” and “Skyline” sets on an enlarged scale. In addition, an immersive journey into an architectural model via VR simulation, as well as bricks from the “Minibrix,” “Tetek,” “Dusyma,” and “Kleine Großblockbaumeister” systems—all produced in the GDR—await anyone who enjoys experimenting, playing, and building.

The exhibition at the DAM was accompanied by the catalog *111 Architectural Building Sets: The Claus Krieger Collection*, published by Jovis-Verlag, Berlin, 2025. In German, 272 pages, 500 illustrations.

Opening: October 6, 2026, 7:00 p.m.