Reconstructing Post-War Industrial Architecture: Archival Study of Egon Steinmann’s Work in Zagreb (1947–1965)

Egon Steinmann’s industrial architecture represents a significant yet insufficiently researched contribution to the development of post-war industrial architecture in Croatia. This paper examines his industrial projects designed between 1947 and 1965 within the context of post-war industrialization and modernization in socialist Yugoslavia. Based on archival documents, historical photographs, field observations, and comparative analysis, the paper first identifies Steinmann’s broader industrial work and then examines six selected industrial complexes in Zagreb. The case studies are compared in terms of their urban context, spatial organization, structural systems, production logistics, daylighting strategies, and architectural expression, highlighting differences between heavy industrial facilities and food-processing plants. A comparison of historical and contemporary orthophotos is further used to evaluate the long-term spatial transformation and adaptability of these industrial sites. The findings demonstrate that Steinmann’s designs were characterized by rational planning, large-span and flexible structures, integration of technological and transport requirements, and the capacity for phased expansion. The continued industrial use and preservation of many of these complexes confirm the lasting value of his architectural and planning concepts, contributing to a broader understanding of Croatian industrial architecture and socialist industrial modernism of the 1950s and 1960s.