“Extraordinary and self-evident.” Those words describe Haus Vollberg. It stands here on Delbrückstraße. This single-family house is a testament to architectural innovation.
Haus Vollberg was designed by Egon Eiermann. It was built between 1938 and 1940 for Günther Vollberg. Vollberg was a factory owner. The house served his family with four children. It also housed the domestic staff.
Eiermann had considerable scope here. He further developed ideas from earlier residential buildings. The layout includes several wings in the single-story building. The architect already used this at Haus Steingroever.
From the central entrance area, three corridors lead to separate tracts. These are for living and dining. They also include sleeping and washing, and the garage and staff area. These tracts end in transverse bars. The uniform building material reduces the effect of too much division. Eiermann chose yellow brick and a consistent roof height.
The interpenetration of interior and exterior spaces is radical. Two green courtyards are enclosed by the architecture. At the same time, high windows and doors open to them. The same yellow brick appears on the exterior and interior walls. Solnhofen limestone paving runs from the garden into the building. Eiermann created a seamless transition between nature and architecture. Climbing frames outside and plant shelves inside create green walls.
The architect achieved contrast with the roof material. It may be due to material rationing during the war. Eiermann chose Eternit for the roof. He joined modern architects like Le Corbusier. They appreciated the qualities of this artificial material.
The garden was designed around 1941. Herta Hammerbacher was the landscape architect. She had previously developed a design. The house’s location and three-winged layout define the garden. Each garden section relates to specific areas of the house. There is an entrance court, and a service yard. Also a laundry area and terrace, with a children’s play garden. A bathing courtyard and residential courtyard follow, with a large garden.
Despite their different functions, the garden areas are cohesive. A simple design achieves this. Its natural orientation contrasts with the building’s architecture. This characteristic completes the overall design.
Haus Vollberg stands as a remarkable example of residential architecture. It combines innovative design. It also offers a seamless blend of nature and living space. It reflects the vision of Egon Eiermann. It also embodies the spirit of its time. The house is a protected building.