Grossiedlung Siemensstadt

Architecturally speaking, Museumsinsel, Schloss Sanssouci and the Hufeisensiedlung in Neukölln could not be more different. Yet they all have one thing in common: they are Unesco World Heritage sites. Along with five other housing estates throughout Berlin, the Hufeisensiedlung became the most recent site to be inducted onto this illustrious list in July 2008. Created between 1910 and 1934 by such leading architects of the day as Bruno Taut and Martin Wagner, these icons of Modernism are the earliest examples of innovative, streamlined and functional – yet human-scale – mass housing. They reflect the spirit of the Weimar Republic, a period of unbridled experimentation and social reform, and stand in stark contrast to the slum-like, crowded tenements of the late 19th century. The flats, though modest, were functionally laid out and had kitchens, private baths and balconies that let in light and fresh air. Today we take these features for granted, but back then the approach was nothing but revolutionary. This huge development (1929–31) of Grossiedlung Siemensstadt combines the visions of several architects, including Walter Gropius’ minimalism, Hugo Häring’s organic approach and Hans Scharoun’s ship-inspired designs. Best approach is via Jungfernheideweg.