Remember “Erst die Küche dann die Fassade”. Picture this: Berlin in the late 1920s. Housing shortages grip the city. Thousands live in inadequate shelters. Now, look around. This is the Reichsforschungssiedlung Haselhorst. It arose from a pressing need.
The Reichsforschungsgesellschaft sought solutions. They aimed for affordable housing. They wanted functional designs. The focus was on efficient methods. They also wanted cost-effective materials. This led to Weimar Republic’s largest state-commissioned housing project.
Marie-Elisabeth Lüders championed this cause. She pushed for prioritizing the kitchen. Her idea reflected the needs of residents. The Reichsforschungsgesellschaft formed in 1927. They sought ways to reduce construction costs. They scrutinized materials and techniques.
The Reichsforschungssiedlung Haselhorst became an experiment. It tested how to lower building costs. It also tested how to keep rents affordable. A competition in 1928 selected Haselhorst. It was chosen as the location for this grand project.
Walter Gropius and Stephan Fischer won the competition. However, their design faced challenges. The Gewobag housing company wanted compromises. They wanted more affordable options. Ultimately, various architects contributed to the Reichsforschungssiedlung.
Construction took place from 1930 to 1935. Fred Forbát, Paul Mebes, and Paul Emmerich were key architects. They gave the estate its experimental character. Different methods and approaches emerged. Terraced houses stood next to apartment buildings. They all featured varying designs.
The apartments prioritized comfort over aesthetics. The goal was low cost and high comfort. Marie-Elisabeth Lüders’ kitchen-first approach was key. Paul Mebes designed apartments around the kitchen. He separated the kitchenette to contain odors. Space was efficiently used. Apartments were small. They ranged from 40 to 50 square meters.
A museum apartment showcases this era. Original features remain. These include wooden doors with handles and terrazzo floors. Also original are the oxblood red wooden floorboards.
The Reichsforschungssiedlung was innovative. It was the largest housing estate of its time. Lower-income residents could afford apartments here. Blue-collar workers made up a significant portion of residents.
The Reichsforschungsgesellschaft dissolved under the Nazis. Gewobag continued building until 1935. Fred Forbát faced persecution. He lost his citizenship.
From 2003 to 2013, Gewobag restored the Reichsforschungssiedlung. They preserved its historical status. Today, it stands as a testament to modernist ideals. It shows a commitment to affordable living. It remains an important part of Berlin’s architectural heritage.