Imagine living in a place that reflects a compromise between progress and tradition. That place is the Siedlung am Poßweg. This housing estate tells a story of Berlin’s architectural evolution. It stands as a testament to a changing era.
The Siedlung am Poßweg emerged from the Gehag’s drawing boards in 1933. By 1934, the vision became reality. The Allgemeine Häuserbau AG executed the construction. This estate features three-story apartment blocks. These buildings offer two and two-and-a-half room apartments. Originally, the plan encompassed the land up to Krumme Lanke station. However, construction halted after the first phase.
The blocks between Sven-Hedin-Platz and Zinnowweg run north-south. The rows extend eastward. This extension mirrors the plot’s dimensions. Buildings on the land between Zinnowweg and Hartmannsweilerweg sit along the plot’s edge. Entrances face the street. Green spaces with tall pine trees fill the area between the buildings. Zinnowweg divides the area into two sections. It connects to Sven-Hedin-Straße.
The row construction reminds us of the Waldsiedlung. Bruno Taut designed the Waldsiedlung for Gehag in 1932. The Siedlung am Poßweg shares similarities. The layout and facade design echo Taut’s earlier work. A brick base offsets the plastered wall. This brickwork extends around the entrances. The facade reflects the interior layout. It uses varied window shapes and widths. Color accents enhance the window divisions. These elements amplify the facade’s rhythm. A brick roll course caps the wall. It meets the eaves. This detail also appeared in the Waldsiedlung’s row houses.
But there is one key difference. The Waldsiedlung has flat roofs. In contrast, the Siedlung am Poßweg features shallow hipped roofs. These roofs sit directly on the eaves. This blend represents a compromise. It balances modern and conservative design elements.
The Siedlung am Poßweg represents a final attempt at progressive planning in Zehlendorf. The Waldsiedlung faced strong opposition. Yet, it was completed. By 1933, concessions were necessary. These concessions allowed at least part of the original plan to proceed.
Recent construction has altered this estate. A shorter new building now stands between the long rows on Sven-Hedin-Straße. Efforts were made to match the new structure to the old. The addition of a brick roll course shows this. It marks where the wall meets the eaves. However, a key element is missing. The asymmetrical window divisions define the facade’s rhythm. This element is similar to those in the Waldsiedlung. The connection to the green space suffers. An underground garage entrance disrupts it.
Historians once attributed the Siedlung am Poßweg to Bruno Taut. Yet, construction and property records do not confirm this.
As you stand here, consider the layers of history. The Siedlung am Poßweg embodies Berlin’s architectural journey. It reflects the push and pull between innovation and tradition. It reminds us that even in compromise, beauty and functionality can thrive.