Just found out about Dirk’s passing whilst googling his name. So sad to discover this news. I worked with Dirk at the Plymouth School of Architecture 1980-85 as School Secretary. I remember Dirk gave 1st year students the task of writing their first essay on ‘The Street’. He was such fun and really cared about his students. Still have a Xmas m...more

Dirk used History to reveal Life & Truth. We were so fortunate going to Berlin with Dirk, and once in Germany at almost every station stop, Dirk was greeted on the station platform by a lovely lady. We took tea with his gracious parents and were totally spoiled; Scharoun's Philharmonie, with von Karajan conducting Ludwig's 8th, the Mies museum, s...more

Even though it has been many years since I have seen Dirk, he remains an energy source in my memory. His grand character, and, voice and sheer presence was his instrument to spread his enthusiasm. Yes, even in these unusual present times one is reminded that enthusiasm is also contagious, and I too was happy to have been affected by his energ...more

It is hard to think about my time at Plymouth without Dirk being included in the memories, he was there the day I joined the school in 1985 and when I left in 2003. In my mind he was without doubt the most popular member of staff in the eyes of the students, I was never sure how he achieved that popularity, but it was clear that he loved the stude...more

Dirk’s presence at the School of Architecture was as important to its unique character, as was the mortar between the finely laid bricks of the Hoe Centre building itself. Twenty-seven years ago, when, I first taught at Plymouth, he was already a leading character in the theatrical production of varied personalities, who comprised The School. His...more

Out of all those people I know some stand larger and are a sort of touchstone for things that I hold dear and shape me. Dirk was that kind of touchstone for me – both through the time I was student and also whilst we were colleagues. With his inimitable style he entertained and educated in equal measure and put me to shame with his encyclopaedic gr...more

A fine man, a great tutor, remembered with love and great respect, among all the other wonderful staff we were fortunate to have in The Hoe Centre in the early 1980s. When Dirk took a group of young students to Berlin, we enjoyed seeing at almost every station as we crossed Germany a pretty young lady waiting to greet Dirk. He took us to visit his...more

Remembering Dirk always makes me smile. He was such a caring friend ........He always had an original 'take' on current affairs. He was always good company. Julia and I will miss him.........

It was with heavy heart to hear of Dirk's passing. As an outstanding tutor he is remembered fondly by myself and those in my year group (Plymouth '91-'97) as much for his warmth and humanity as his piercing social insight and intellect. I am certain none of us will ever be able to walk past that little cafe, just up from Kitty O'Hanlons, and not ...more

Dirk Hansen. Kept it real! Fond memories. RIP

Best tutor ever.Inspirational.RIP

Before I went to university I had romantic images of young people sitting around inspiring, wildly gesticulating, lecturers who were busy telling them to go forth and change the world ...... And you know what...... that's exactly what it was like with Dirk. Pretty much every lesson we were told, with expletives, that we should go and change the wo...more

We met Dirk in Plymouth for the first time, next in Berlin, also in Krakow and again in Berlin. He knew almost everything about art and architecture. I only surprised him once, he didn't know about Schreiter’s stained glass windows in Berlin, Grunewald. We meet again and again, Dirk with Margaret, me with Andrzej. We had really a nice time drinking...more

It was always a pleasure to cook for Dirk and his colleagues when they lunched at The Wine Lodge . The Barbican, Plymouth, was loved by Dirk and The Barbican was a better place for his presence. His enthusiasm for food, particularly soups and ‘one pot meals’, kept me on my toes. He was always gracious, grateful, kind and amusing. There are people y...more

Dirk was a kind and wonderful human being. One of the best.. his tenacity to life and teaching was insurmountable. His cafe rendezvous always an opportunity for him to meet up and talk to dear friends and colleagues exploring the people, issues and ideas reshaping our political world. Dirk was always fascinated and intrigued as to what us ladies in...more

News of Dirk Hansen's passing in Berlin has saddened us greatly. We would like to of-fer our most sincere condolences to His wife Margarett and daughter Emily, as well as the rest of His family. Dirk was a wonderful man. We greatly appreciated not only His intellect or His wisdom but also His sense of humour, the manner in which He distanced himsel...more

I was sorry to hear of the death of Dirk. He was a rare character - strong and unusually knowledgeable with a keen intelligence combined always with a humorous twinkle. Stylish in a casually elegant way - continental. Always a pleasure to see him ambling round the town or sitting putting the world to rights with his many friends. If Plymouth e...more

I am heartbroken that Dirk is no longer on the planet. It made it a lighter, wiser, brighter, funnier, more urbane and more extraordinary place. Dirk was a force of nature though hilarious about nature itself- all those cows and those annoying hills. His angle on the world was so unexpected. I remember a lecture on 'le balcon' which traversed from...more

I must admit I had a negative veiw of Germany and Germans, growing up as I did in the war. Dirk rehabilitated Germany for me. His urbane good humour, his political sense, his postcards (which he sent to me every other week for years) his love of all the good sybaritic things in life was enhancing and joyful. He was modest in his learning, happy in ...more

"If you bomb someone, you bomb yourself" (DH). Many engimatic one liners that stuck. Long before the advent of multi-media, you made lectures fun and memorable. Thank you.

Dirk was a great and supportive teacher. He will always be remembered not only for his great lectures that very often revised our views, but also for his lovely personality and his willingness to stand and help every student. May he rest in peace.

Dirk was very supportive to me when I started to teach at the School of Architecture in Plymouth, for which I am very grateful. He had a wicked sense of humour too! I remember once he described my grandfather's architectural creation, Battersea Power Station as 'Imperialist shit'! In a way I had to agree with him! I'm very sorry to hear of his pa...more

So many fond memories, it's invidious to choose just one!... But I did enjoy partnering Dirk in a short theory course culminating in a debate that he organised for the fourth year students - "Should architects be led by 'their head' or 'their heart'?" Dirk was the main proposer for 'the heart' (of course...) and he won the argument every time we r...more

Always remembered by everyone with a smile. Such a wonderful character, full of enthusiasm and passion for his subject. Always a twinkle in his eye. His words touched and stuck fast with many. His sayings and his 'famous quotes' will live on always. Let's all go to a cafe and just watch the world go by. With Love Claire Williams

Dirk was a most inspiring and supportive tutor at the Hoe Centre School of Architecture. Always optimistic and able to cut through the nonsense. We have such fond memories of you, and thank you for your friendship.