Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
UNCOMMON ENVIRONS FOR THE COMMON MAN
Architecturally speaking, Museumsinsel, Schloss Sanssouci and the Hufeisensiedlung
in Neukölln could not be more different. Yet all have one thing in common: they are
Unesco World Heritage sites. Along with five other working-class housing estates
throughout Berlin, the Hufeisensiedlung was inducted onto this illustrious list in July
2008.
Created between 1910 and 1933 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 and stand in stark con-
trast 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. For further details, see
http://whc.unesco.org
.
Huf
Hufeiisensiiedlun
ölln (Lowise-Reuter-Ring; U-Bahn: Parchimer Allee) Taut and
Wagner dreamed up the 3-storey-high horseshoe-shaped colony (1933-35) with
1000 balconied flats wrapping around a central park. From the station follow Fritz-
Reuter-Allee north.
Gartenstadt F
dlung/Ne
g/Neuukölln
ick (Akazienhof, Am Falkenberg & Gartenstadtweg; S-
Bahn: Grünau) Built by Taut between 1910 and 1913, the oldest of the six Unesco-hon-
oured estates is a cheerful jumble of colourfully painted cottages. Approach from Am
Falkenberg.
Sie
dt Falk
alkennberg/K
g/Köpenick
Siemensstadt/Sp
dt/Spanddau (Geisslerpfad, Goebelstrasse, Heckerdamm, Jung-
fernheideweg, Mäckeritzstrasse; U-Bahn: Siemensdamm) This huge development
(1929-31) combines Walter Gropius' minimalism, Hugo Häring's organic approach
and Hans Scharoun's ship-inspired designs. Best approach is via Jungfernheideweg.
Sch
Schille
dding (Barfussstrasse, Bristolstrasse, Corker Strasse, Dub-
liner Strasse, Oxforder Strasse, Windsorer Strasse, Wedding; U-Bahn: Rehberge) In-
spired by Dutch architecture, this large colony (1924-30) was masterminded by Taut
and sports a dynamic red-and-white-brick facade. Best approach is via Bar-
fussstrasse.
Weiisse St
illerpark Sie
rk Siedlun
dlung/W
g/Weddin
ickenddorff (Aroser Allee, Baseler Strasse, Bieler Strasse, Emmen-
taler Strasse, Genfer Strasse, Gotthardstrasse, Romanshorner Weg, Schillerring,
Sankt-Galler-Strasse; U-Bahn: Residenzstrasse) Martin Wagner's 'White City'
(1929-31) includes shops, a kindergarten, cafe, central laundry and other communal
facilities. Best approach is via Aroser Allee.
e Stadt/R
dt/Reiinick
