GEWOBAG-Siedlung

Did the Bauhaus architects ever imagine their ideals would rise from the ashes? Here at the GEWOBAG-Siedlung in Dresden, their vision took root. The GEWOBAG-Siedlung, commissioned by the non-profit housing cooperative GEWOBAG, was designed by Erich Hempel. Built between 1925 and 1928, the GEWOBAG-Siedlung aimed to provide affordable housing for families. Hempel embraced Bauhaus principles, creating functional and affordable homes. The architecture itself is a quiet rebellion against the ornate styles of the past. It’s “objective and functional,” with subtle expressionistic touches like triangular balconies. Look closely at the brickwork. Notice the stepped frames and borders around the base. See the diamond-shaped basement windows, hinting at the geometric playfulness of the Bauhaus. The GEWOBAG-Siedlung wasn’t immune to the devastation of World War II. Parts of it suffered damage during the 1945 bombing of Dresden. However, the robust construction and practical layouts allowed for a swift restoration. By 1949, the first apartments were ready. They were given to those who had actively participated in the city’s reconstruction. The restaurant in the corner house, facing Schneebergstrasse, was named “Aktivist” and remained so until 1990. The GEWOBAG-Siedlung stands as a testament to the resilience of good design and the enduring need for affordable, functional housing. It’s a story of both destruction and rebirth. It whispers of a time when architecture dared to dream of a better future, a dream realized here among these simple, elegant buildings.