Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle

Gustav Lilienthal dreamed of a community where everyone had a stake. This dream took root here, at the Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle. The Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a testament to a vision. A vision born in 1895 when Gustav Lilienthal, brother of the famed Otto Lilienthal, founded the “Freie Scholle” housing cooperative. He envisioned a self-sufficient community. A place where residents could grow their own food and share resources. The first homes of Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle sprouted along the Tegeler Fließ. These weren’t ordinary houses. They were built using Lilienthal’s innovative prefabricated concrete block system. The cooperative members themselves, fueled by shared purpose, constructed their own homes. The initial homes, built in the Egidystraße, embodied simplicity. They reflected the early ideals of the cooperative before outside funding and shifting demographics altered its trajectory. By 1910, the Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle had blossomed. 173 homes housed 600 residents. Shops, a bakery, and the “Schollenkrug” restaurant lined the intersection with Waidmannsluster Damm. The community had grown beyond Lilienthal’s initial vision. But the core principle, the idea of a “free plot” for every member, remained. In the 1920s, renowned architect Bruno Taut added his distinctive touch to the Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle. The Schollenhof, a trapezoidal courtyard complex, became the new heart of the settlement. Taut’s colorful designs contrasted with the earlier, simpler homes. They marked a new chapter in the Siedlung’s evolution. Over the decades, Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle continued to grow. New buildings sprang up, reflecting changing architectural styles and social needs. The Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle stands today as a living chronicle of cooperative housing. It showcases a century of evolution, from simple beginnings to a thriving community. From self-built homes to the vibrant hues of Bruno Taut’s creations, Baudenkmal: Siedlung Freie Scholle tells a story of shared dreams and enduring community.