Introduction to Berlin Modernism Housing Estates

Berlin Modernism Housing Estates on the other hand can be described as a series of buildings that can be described as apartment blocks that was put up during the early part of the twentieth century in the city of Berlin in Germany. These estates commonly referred as “Siedlungen” were built in the Weimar Republic Germany between 1918 and 1933 and architects who designed were advocating for modernism. Due to this, the housing estates through their designs and objectives have become landmark Reference to Berlin’s architectural history.

Historical Background

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the population of Berlin experienced rapid increase and the city’s size expanded correspondingly. The existing housing environment was congested, unsanitary and poor, prompting the need for efficiency housing structures that could be built at very cheap affordable prices. In this regard, the city administration carried out a program aimed at construction of new mechanical houses for the working class population as well as to enhance the quality of their lives for a more harmonious society to reign.

Prominent Architectural Styles

The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates are examples of Bauhaus style and Art Deco and Expressionism as well. It is important to note that the design principles of these xxx complexes were developed by architectural gurus such as Bruno Taut, Walter Gropius and Martin Wagner.

Characteristics of Berlin Modernism Housing Estates

Functional Layout and Innovative Design

The housing estates were constructed specifically for the purpose of offering economic houses that can be occupied by workers. To achieve this goal, the architects took their time ensuring that they embraced space efficient and new architectural designs. They also depicted good designs of yards, lawns and central amenities such as the halls and kitchens.

Emphasis on Natural Lighting and Ventilation

Another important factor that was also considered in the construction of the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates was the natural lighting as well as the natural ventilation. Thus, elements such as large windows, balconies and open spaces were embodied into the idea to enhance the healthiness of the entire living setting. The architects thought that adequate lighting and artificial fresh air the residents’ physical and mental condition would improve.

Social Objectives

Unlike other housing complexes of the time, Berlin Modernism Housing Estates was designed to form communities within Estate and encourage the inhabitants to interact. Some comfort included washing laundry, kindergarten for children, clubs, and community for people to interact and feel that they belong to a certain estate.

Notable Berlin Modernism Housing Estates

Bruno Taut’s Horseshoe Estate

The Horseshoe Estate was designed by Bruno Taut in the late 1920’s and today is a part of Berlin Modernism Housing Estates. Bright cladding, bold designs of staircases, and creatively designed rooms enabled defining the essence of the modernist ideas in addressing social housing needs.

Walter Gropius’ Siemensstadt Housing Estate

The Siemensstadt Housing Estate also known as the Siemensstadt’s Building is one of the projects which were developed based on the concepts of functionalist architecture and was created by Walter Gropius’s team from the Bauhaus School. It integrated the residential and industrial arrangements for living and working environments being in balance.

Preservation and UNESCO World Heritage Status

Several of the part of Berlin architecture, particularly Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site. The estates are well kept to provide an insight to persons about what modernist architectural and Urban design are all about.

Conclusion

It is important for the understanding of the phenomenon of modern housing estates of Berlin as they have considerably changed the skyline of the city and provided the working class with comfortable and modern housing. These modernist estates which have precise functional planning, new generation architectural designs and primarily, have certain social relevance still set high examples for today’s urban planning and designing.