Hufeisensiedlung (Horseshoe Estate)
The Hufeisensiedlung was constructed in 1925 by Bruno Taut, who was then GEHAG’s chief architect, together with Martin Wagner, the Councelor in charge of urban development. It is one of Berlin’s best-known housing estates, with its remarkable central „horseshoe“ construction. The colourful houses, the old cherry trees and the rural character are typical of this housing estate.
The whole are is divided in two by the Fritz-Reuter-Allee ("Grüner Ring"). The eastern side was built by DeGeWo, the western side by GEHAG. The centre of the estate was built by GEHAG: the horseshoe is an uncomplicated three-story building that borders on a generous, natural landscape with a park and tenants’ garden plots.
The whole are is divided in two by the Fritz-Reuter-Allee ("Grüner Ring"). The eastern side was built by DeGeWo, the western side by GEHAG. The centre of the estate was built by GEHAG: the horseshoe is an uncomplicated three-story building that borders on a generous, natural landscape with a park and tenants’ garden plots.
Taut’s concept of the building as a horseshoe was derived from his desire to fulfil the inhabitant’s need for socialising. The housing estate as a whole encircles this centre in staggered terraced housing style with gabled roofs. Later, between in 1929 and 1930, came the single-family homes and further multi-storey rental apartments on the periphery of the estate. The design of the garden plots and public open spaces was by the head of Neukölln’s Parks and Gardens Department, Ottokar Wagler, who mainly stuck to the original plans drawn up by the experienced landscape gardener Leberecht Migge.
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