“A machine for living” whispers the wind around the Citröhhan Haus. This isn’t just a house. It’s a statement a testament to Le Corbusier’s revolutionary vision.
Right here before you stands one of the five houses he designed for the 1927 Weissenhofsiedlung exhibition in Stuttgart. This particular house the Citröhhan Haus embodies Le Corbusier’s “five points of a new architecture”. It’s a bold experiment in modern living a prototype for mass-produced housing.
The Citröhhan Haus wasn’t built overnight. Its design evolved over several years. Early sketches from 1920 show a three-story structure. The ground floor held living and dining areas. The upper floors housed bedrooms and a terrace. Le Corbusier envisioned a flexible space. He aimed for a synthesis of “a sleeper car and a salon car”.
But the evolution continued. By 1922 a significant change emerged. The entire house was elevated on pilotis slender pillars. This created a ground floor for service functions a garage perhaps a storage room. The Citröhhan Haus became a floating structure a remarkable departure from traditional architecture.
Another iteration emerged in 1925. The design aimed for affordability. The double-height space was reduced. The house became more compact more streamlined. The large windows became horizontally elongated offering abundant light and showcasing another of Le Corbusier’s principles.
The 1927 version the one you see today is the most refined. It perfectly implements all five of his principles. Observe the pilotis the roof garden the ribbon windows the open floor plan and the free facade. The curved partitions within the house exemplify a flexible interior.
Notice the sophisticated placement of the windows. Their size and position subtly reveal the function of each room. The use of concrete is prominent. The materials were simple but the architecture is sophisticated. The building’s structure is a concrete skeleton frame built on site. Walls are thin cement membranes.
This building is a clear illustration of Le Corbusier’s revolutionary ideas. It was meant to be mass-produced a modular housing unit. Imagine rows of identical Citröhhan houses a vision of modern urban living.
The Citröhhan Haus isn’t just a house. It’s a historical landmark a monument to the evolution of modern architecture. It’s a place where history and innovation meet a building that continues to inspire architects today. Step inside and experience this unique vision for yourself.