Isn’t it remarkable how a housing complex can embody architectural innovation? The Rothenberg in Kassel is a testament to the Neues Bauen architectural movement. Let’s delve into the story of this unique residential area.
The Rothenberg, also known as Rothenberg-Siedlung or Siedlung Rothenberg, stands as a prime example of the New Building style in Kassel. Constructed between 1929 and 1931 this estate features four-story apartment blocks. A central heating, washing, and bathing house completes the design. This is one of the main works of architect Otto Haesler from Celle.
Located north of Kassel’s city center, in the Rothenditmold district, the Rothenberg sits on a gentle rise. Several streets provide access to it. The first construction phase included buildings on Frankenberger Straße, Fritzlarer Straße and Gudensberger Straße. Also included were Hersfelder Straße, Malsfelder Straße, Rotenburger Straße and Treysaer Straße. The second phase expanded with buildings on Hersfelder Straße and Frankenberger Straße.
In 1928, Hanns Sauter, head of Kassel’s housing office, and Gerhard Jobst contacted Otto Haesler. They needed small apartments urgently. Haesler had gained recognition for innovative housing estates like Siedlung Italienischer Garten. Also for the Siedlung Georgsgarten in Celle. The Kassel Volksblatt published Haesler’s lecture about cheaper housing in September 1928. The rapid commission of Haesler initially upset local architects. In May 1929, the Kasseler Wohnungsfürsorge GmbH signed a contract with Otto Haesler for the overall planning. Haesler designed the estate and managed its execution with Karl Völker.
Construction began August 1, 1929. By May 15, 1930, 216 apartments were ready. In the second phase, from August 1930 to 1931, another 160 apartments were built. Haesler and Völker were responsible for 84 apartments. Kassel architects Brahm and Kasteleiner, Baecker and Sirrenberg, Sichel and Leers also contributed.
Haesler himself viewed the Rothenberg critically because of compromises made. He saw it as a step toward standard types. External praise was more positive. A tenant survey showed very positive results. Gerhard Jobst showed that Haesler’s steel frame construction was cheaper than solid construction.
Haesler and his colleagues promoted the project in journals. The Rothenberg’s popularity culminated in the “Modern Architecture” exhibition. Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson curated it at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1932. Otto Haesler was prominently featured with the Marie von Boschan-Aschrott retirement home. Haesler provided plans and photos. The museum created a large model of the estate. Johnson called Haesler the foremost housing architect in Germany. Lewis Mumford praised the Rothenberg as a complete example of modern housing. The MoMA show was successful. It toured 14 American cities for two years.
The urban design was intended for 2,500 apartments but only partially realized due to the Great Depression. The executed design consists of north-south aligned four-story buildings. East-west and north-south roads run through it. The buildings are staggered. Haesler added central squares and open spaces for the first time. Kindergarten and school buildings were planned. These squares and community buildings were not built.
In the first construction phase, six apartment blocks and the central washing and heating building were built. The buildings and facades were simple to save costs. The stairwells on the west facades are the only decoration. These stairwells have large steel glass window bands.
The apartment layouts and construction are architecturally significant. The architects implemented a rational system of space-saving layouts inside. These layouts were based on the cabin layout introduced by Ludwig Hilberseimer in 1923. The Rothenberg had five apartment types for two to six residents.
Otto Haesler was proud of the steel frame construction. However, in the second phase, solid brickwork construction was used instead. The structural difference is not visible from the outside.
From 1973 to 1977, the estate was renovated. The windows and front doors were replaced. The bathrooms were rebuilt. The open loggias were included in the apartment layouts. The washing and heating building is still intact.
In 2005, the municipal housing company GWG developed a new concept. Since 2007, vacant apartments have been modernized. Loggias have been reopened. Layouts have been adjusted. The Rothenberg stands as a significant example of early 20th-century social housing. It offers valuable insights into urban planning and architectural design. It also reflects the social ideals of the Weimar Republic.