“Hustenburg” they called it. A nickname whispered with a mix of derision and affection. We stand before the Siedlung Ziegelklinge a testament to Stuttgart’s architectural past.
The Siedlung Ziegelklinge isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a story. A story of hope and a bit of irony. Built in 1927 and 1928 this Bauhaus-style housing development was initially intended as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. The fresh air of the Nesenbach valley was meant to cure. The location near the Rotwildpark was deemed ideal.
Imagine the scene. Patients on their loggias sunlight warming their faces. Families nearby offering support. This was a bold experiment. An attempt to combine medical care with family life. Sadly the concept failed. Tuberculosis was a stubborn adversary.
The Siedlung Ziegelklinge was repurposed. It became a bachelor’s housing. Today it stands as a cultural monument. A reminder of a time when modern architecture and social progress held hands. It is owned by the Stuttgarter Wohnungs- und Städtebaugesellschaft mbH or SWSG. This housing association extensively renovated the buildings between 2016 and 2018. The renovation respected the historical original state.
Notice the five three-story buildings. They are arranged in rows separated by spacious green areas. Each building has four to six individual units. There’s a playground too a small but significant detail. The parallel alignment of the houses was a smart design choice. It provides optimal access to sunlight air and views particularly considering the hillside location.
Each 100 square-meter apartment had a loggia. It served as a patient’s room. The other two floors housed family members. The idea was to keep patients near their loved ones. The Siedlung Ziegelklinge isn’t purely Bauhaus. There are elements that stray from the strict principles of the Neues Bauen. Features like casement windows with shutters were added. However the layouts proportions balconies and details like railings firmly adhere to that style.
This isn’t just a building. It’s a chapter in Stuttgart’s story. A chapter of dreams dashed and dreams fulfilled. A testament to adaptation and resilience. The Siedlung Ziegelklinge whispers tales of hope and healing. It stands as a beacon of architectural elegance in the heart of Stuttgart.