Landhaus Bejach

Tucked away in Berlin’s Steinstücken neighborhood, Landhaus Bejach whispers tales of a bygone era. Landhaus Bejach stands as a quiet testament to the elegance of the New Objectivity style. This isn’t some grand, ornate mansion. It’s a sleek, functional home designed by Erich Mendelsohn, the architectural genius behind iconic structures like the Einstein Tower. Landhaus Bejach was built in 1928 for Dr. Curt Bejach, a prominent physician and social medicine advocate in Kreuzberg. Imagine Dr. Bejach, after a long day tending to the health needs of Berlin’s working class, retreating to this peaceful sanctuary. The house, with its flat roof and cubic form, nestles perfectly on the long, narrow plot. Mendelsohn’s signature horizontal banding, a dance of dark brick and light plaster, graces the facade and the pergolas. These pergolas, extending from the sides of the house, embrace the gardens, creating a harmonious flow between indoors and out. The home’s design maximized natural light and divided the property into two distinct garden areas. A larger front garden, shielded from the street by a brick wall and hedge, provided a space for play and socializing. The smaller back garden offered a tranquil retreat, perfect for contemplation and quiet enjoyment. The interior, though modest in size at 150 square meters, was ingeniously designed. Every inch of space was utilized efficiently, with the ground floor seamlessly flowing from entrance to living area. The living room, bathed in light from three sides, embodied the concept of “Durchwohnen” – a living space designed for both comfortable living and effortless movement. Landhaus Bejach even had its moment of cinematic fame. Scenes from the 1930 film classic “Die Drei von der Tankstelle,” starring Heinz Rühmann, were filmed here. Picture the actors, playing down-on-their-luck friends, singing their woes amidst the elegant backdrop of the Bejach home. But the story of Landhaus Bejach takes a somber turn. In 1933, Dr. Bejach, a Jewish man, lost his job due to the Nazi regime’s discriminatory policies. Three years later, he was forced to sell his beloved home. Tragically, in 1944, he perished in Auschwitz. Today, a Stolperstein, a small, brass memorial embedded in the pavement, marks the entrance to Landhaus Bejach, a poignant reminder of Dr. Bejach’s fate and the dark chapter of history that touched this beautiful home. The house survived the war, remarkably preserved despite its location in the divided city. Though some alterations were made over the years, recent renovations have sought to restore the home to its original splendor. As you stand before Landhaus Bejach, take a moment to appreciate its enduring beauty and remember the story of its owner, Dr. Curt Bejach. His legacy, like the house he cherished, continues to resonate with the spirit of a time both elegant and turbulent.