Didn’t Ludwig Mies van der Rohe create something truly special here? This is the Wohnanlage an der Afrikanischen Stra\u00dfe. It stands as an early example of Weimar Republic housing. This Wohnanlage an der Afrikanischen Stra\u00dfe shows clear lines and cubic forms. The architecture embodies the Neues Bauen style.
Let’s dive into the history of this remarkable place. The Afrikanische Stra\u00dfe began around 1900. It was designed as a relief road on Berlin’s northwestern edge. The surrounding land remained undeveloped until World War I. A development plan was established in 1919. Paul Mebes and Paul Emmerich built the Kleinhaussiedlung Jungfernheide. It was constructed west of the main street. The Heimst\u00e4ttengesellschaft Primus took over the remaining strip of land. This strip was located on Afrikanische Stra\u00dfe. They commissioned Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to construct residential buildings.
Mies van der Rohe designed the Wohnanlage an der Afrikanischen Stra\u00dfe between 1926 and 1927. The addresses are Afrikanische Stra\u00dfe 15/23, 29/33, and 37/41. Also included are Tangastra\u00dfe 8A-B, Ugandastra\u00dfe 8A-B, Dualastra\u00dfe 12A-B, and Sambesistra\u00dfe 10A. He was also working on a housing block in Stuttgart’s Wei\u00dfenhofsiedlung. He was the director of the “Die Wohnung” exhibition. He also created the overall plan.
Mies van der Rohe designed cubic, block-like houses with flat roofs. They feature sharp-edged corners. The facades are plain smooth and entirely flat. They appear almost ascetic. He arranged three similar housing blocks. They are set back slightly from the Afrikanische Stra\u00dfe. Rounded balconies connect them like hinges with angled side structures.
The side wings form a gate-like enclosure. This enclosure frames the narrow residential streets of Kleinhaussiedlung Jungfernheide. They also define the green garden courtyards. These extend behind the residential buildings. The main sections have three floors. They also have a very high attic. The side wings are significantly lower. They only have two floors. A fourth building stands at the corner of Afrikanische Stra\u00dfe and Tangastra\u00dfe. It comprises three staggered blocks.
All wall surfaces are plastered and painted in ochre. The narrow roof edge consists of three layers of brick. The development includes 88 apartments. They range from one to three rooms. Social housing aimed to separate living areas and kitchens. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created spacious eat-in kitchens. These kitchens open onto loggias facing the courtyard.
The Wohnanlage an der Afrikanischen Stra\u00dfe exudes a deep sense of calm and harmony. The slender, towering poplars in front of the buildings serve as an architectural element. The developer was Heimst\u00e4ttengesellschaft “Primus” GmbH.
Today the Wohnanlage an der Afrikanischen Stra\u00dfe remains apartments. It stands as a testament to innovative design. It also reflects the social ideals of its time. This place is more than just buildings. It is a piece of history. It is a reminder of Berlin’s architectural evolution. It is also a legacy of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s genius.