Consider this: a housing estate conceived as a model for future ecological urban development. That’s Weinmeisterhöhe. It stands in Berlin-Spandau. This settlement of 60 rental apartments was innovative. It was designed in 1989.
Let’s explore what makes Weinmeisterhöhe special. The project aimed to set a new “ecological standard” for housing. Construction finished in early 1994. It became a publicly funded model for ecological settlement construction.
Weinmeisterhöhe features both terraced houses and apartment buildings. The architects were Prof. Schreck, Hillmann, Nagel, Dürr, and Güldenberg. Or perhaps it was IBUS. Sources differ. Prof. Dr. Klaus Neumann and Prof. Jürgen Hoffmann designed the gardens. The GSW was the building contractor. They are the Society for Social Housing in Berlin.
The estate covers one hectare. It offers a mix of apartment types. These include split-level layouts. The development was planned as a standard. It was for future settlement construction. However, German reunification changed priorities. Cost concerns led to the project’s abandonment.
Weinmeisterhöhe has unique features. It is a housing association. This offers social, subsidized housing. Residents are tenants not owners.
The urban design fills a gap. Buildings face southwest for solar architecture. The property is deep. This requires a second row of buildings. It integrates into the surroundings. It blends Reihenhäusern. These are terraced houses. It also blends Geschosswohnungsbau. This is multi-story housing. The area also blends Einfamilienhäusern. These are single-family homes. There is a small garden complex behind the estate.
Architecturally, Weinmeisterhöhe presents a varied picture. The street side has a three-story row of buildings. Winter gardens connect some structures. The rear reveals split-level designs. Head-end structures contain apartments. Exterior stairs access second-floor units. Ground-floor apartments are accessible.
Houses in the second row are shorter. Entrances face north. They are at passageways. This creates extensive paths and stairs. Conventional materials were used. These are such as masonry and plaster. Upper floors are clad in plasterboard. Sedum covers gently pitched roofs. Head-end structures have standard roofing.
Eco-friendly aspects are evident. Large solar collectors are on southwest sides. These add architectural appeal. Gardens serve the ground floor apartments. Hedges not fences mark garden boundaries. There is a footpath behind the first row of houses. There are no communal open spaces.
A parking garage is under the front building row. Collection points are at the rear. Paved areas define streets and paths. Infiltration trenches manage street drainage.
Weinmeisterhöhe sits near other eco-projects. The “Zero-Heating-Energy House” is close by. It is located on Weinmeisterweg.
To reach Weinmeisterhöhe, take the U-/S-Bahn to Rathaus Spandau. Then, take bus 135 south. The bus will take you 3 km to Weinmeisterhornweg. The estate is 200 meters from the Zero-Energy heating building.
The name Weinmeisterhöhe originally referred to an area east of Gatower Straße. It was south of Weinmeisterhornweg. It was also west of Weinmeisterhorn. Today, the name extends to this area. It is located roughly 1 km west. It borders the city.
Southwest of the estate, the former British patrol path follows the Berlin Wall. “Biotopic” areas remain from the Wall and border strip. Today, the Mauerweg follows the patrol path. Look for memorials and signs.
Weinmeisterhöhe offers a glimpse into past visions of ecological urban living. It is a reminder of Spandau’s commitment. The commitment is to innovative housing.