Gazing at Villa Mendelsohn, one might hear the echoes of its past. This striking white, flat-roofed villa overlooking the Stößensee was designed by Erich Mendelsohn. It’s not just a house. It’s a testament to his architectural genius. He built Villa Mendelsohn for himself in 1928-1929. He lived and worked here from 1930 to 1933. The French painter and art theorist Amédée Ozenfant eloquently described it as a “house for a Goethe of 1930”. Imagine Mendelsohn on the large terrace, gazing out at the Havel River, contemplating his next masterpiece. The villa’s design is remarkable. All living rooms, many with retractable windows, face west to capture the stunning sunsets over the Stößensee. The east-facing entrance side has windows only on the upper floor, maintaining privacy. While some interior and exterior alterations occurred in 1987-1988, the essence of Mendelsohn’s vision remains. The original interior design, largely by Mendelsohn himself, contributed to the unique character of Villa Mendelsohn. The garden, a separate work of art, was designed by Heinrich Wiepking-Jürgensmann. Villa Mendelsohn stands as a legacy. It reflects not just Mendelsohn’s individual brilliance, but also the dynamic architectural spirit of the 1920s Berlin.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in