A gurgling sound. That’s how it began. The gentle gurgle of water from a fountain. Right here in the heart of Siedlung am Brunnen.
Welcome to Siedlung am Brunnen a residential area unlike any other. Built between 1922 and 1930 this haven wasn’t just bricks and mortar. It was a dream realised. A dream of the Beamten-Wohnungsverein a housing cooperative. They purchased 30 hectares of land. This land is nestled between Heinrich-Mann-Allee Neuer Friedhof and Waldstrasse.
Imagine rows of two-story houses. Small gardens adorned each. It was more than just housing. It was a vision. A vision of community. A vision where residents could tend to their own gardens. They could grow their own food. They could cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency. This wasn’t some impersonal housing project. It was carefully planned. Architect Blohm and advisor Reinhold Mohr oversaw the design. Construction started in Drevesstrasse. This street forms the lowest curve of the settlement. Am Brunnen Street runs parallel. It forks creating a triangular space. In 1928 a fountain was placed here. It’s this fountain that gives Siedlung am Brunnen its name.
But Siedlung am Brunnen’s story didn’t end there. In the 1950s it expanded. By 2012 it boasted 950 homes. This wasn’t just a simple expansion. It was a testament to the enduring appeal of this community. An appeal that extends to this day. This peaceful community continues to attract families.
The original plan was even more ambitious. Reinhold Mohr envisioned a larger central space. Architect Eduard Jobst Siedler refined these ideas. His plan was approved. A map shows the planned central area. It was simply marked B. This simple letter represents a complex vision. A vision of a flourishing community. A community built on the principles of the garden city movement. A movement aimed at combining the benefits of town and country life.
In more recent times there have been efforts to expand further. Studies explored ways to add more housing. This without compromising the existing charm. Discussions focused on careful expansion. The goal is to preserve the character of the area. New housing is important. Maintaining the quality of life here is equally crucial. A balance is sought. A balance between progress and preservation.
So here we stand at Siedlung am Brunnen. A place where history and community intertwine. A place where a simple fountain marks the heart of a rich story. A place where the past informs the present. And where the future looks bright. A future built on the dreams of those who came before. A future where the gentle gurgling of the fountain continues to echo through the years.