“Zickzackhausen” they called it. A nickname whispered on the wind. A playful jab at the striking zig-zag pattern. This is Siedlung Bruchfeldstrasse in Frankfurt am Main.
Here stands a testament to the New Frankfurt movement. Built between 1926 and 1927 this settlement showcases the vision of Ernst May and his team. They weren’t just building homes. They were building a future. A future of modern living and communal harmony.
The Aktienbaugesellschaft für kleine Wohnungen or ABG commissioned the project. 643 housing units sprang up. Mostly two and three-room apartments. Each around 56 or 65 square meters. They were built with conventional brick construction and flat roofs. Imagine the scale of this project. Imagine the lives it touched. Forty-nine terraced houses were also constructed. They formed a row near the railway line.
These weren’t ordinary apartments. They boasted modern amenities. Each apartment had a bathroom a Frankfurter Küche a central heating system and even central radio. Luxury for the time. But this luxury came at a price. Moving in cost 700 to 1200 Reichsmark. Monthly rent ranged from 48 to 88 Reichsmark. Almost half an average worker’s wage. The initial tenants were mostly white-collar workers and civil servants.
The architects ingeniously used the existing street layout. They blended the traditional block structure. They combined this with a vertical façade division. But then something magical happened. May’s team introduced a bold expressionist style. It contrasted starkly with the existing homes which followed the Heimatstil. This innovative design is the reason why people still use the affectionate nickname Zickzackhausen today. The zig-zagging façade not only catches the eye. It also maximizes sunlight and airflow.
The central residential block is the heart of Siedlung Bruchfeldstrasse. It’s a perimeter block development with a courtyard. This courtyard was designed to foster community. Residents shared not only the central heating system and laundry. They shared a collective radio station. A community building housed a kindergarten a library administrative offices and even a central heating plant.
Many of the apartments had access to small gardens. They were staggered to mirror the main building’s pattern. Second-floor apartments had sun terraces with iron bars. Tenants could hang cloths for privacy while sunbathing. The courtyard even had a large water basin and playgrounds.
This wasn’t just about building houses. It was about creating a community. A place where neighbors knew each other. Where children played together. Where modern amenities blended with innovative architecture. This blend is what makes Siedlung Bruchfeldstrasse so special. So unique. This is Zickzackhausen a legacy of the New Frankfurt movement. A legacy of community design and enduring style.