siemensstadt housing, berlin, germany, 1929.
architect: hugo häring, 1882-1958.
planning: hans scharoun, 1893-1972.
in 1920's berlin, the avantgarde architects formed "der ring", a leaderless group dedicated to strengthening the position of modern architecture. they worked together regardless of individual differences and their differences were much greater than anything we know today. the international style of walter gropius was just one utopian project among several and not yet the leading one - der ring included abstract neoclassicist heinrich tessenow and religious expressionist otto bartning.
the wohngroßsiedlung siemensstadt in northern berlin is proof of their successful strategy. it is also a testament to the diversity of the berlin scene prior to 1933 and what we might term a surprising balance of power: hans scharoun did the planning rather than anyone from the bauhaus crew and he invited häring to do no fewer than ten buildings out of approximately fortyfive.
the layout of häring's flats is largely similar to the others in siemensstadt, there was obviously not a lot of freedom working in social housing in the late twenties. not that that has changed.
häring's particular sensitivity to use is expressed in the windows and balconies on the west facade where his huge rounded balconies effectively become an extra room to the flat. the shape is derived from a functional diagram with a round table, four chairs, access from the balcony door and food handed out of the kitchen window. but there is more to this elaborate design.
the off-centre concrete column supporting the balcony creates a more protected corner contrasted with the openness around the other, slender steel support. difference in height of the balcony sides enhances this.
it all makes for a careful layering of the outdoor space which includes the columns, an outdoor curtain, purposebuilt planters in painted steel and finally the trees placed closed to the facade.
häring was faithful to the general siemensstadt image of plaster facades painted in light colours but he added to it a patchwork of exposed brick bonds in the balcony fronts, the base and the attic where the concrete skeleton is also left exposed.
as of july 2008, a UNESCO world heritage site - and quite rightly so.
this photo was uploaded with a CC license and may be used free of charge and in any way you see fit.
if possible, please name photographer "SEIER+SEIER". if not, don't.
hugo häring's gut garkau.
the hugo häring set so far.
Tags: hugo häring hugo haring hugo häring haering haring architecture architektur housing social siemensstadt berlin germany deutschland der ring der ring hans scharoun house haus building modernism modernist bauhaus facade balcony arquitetura Architectuur Architettura gebäude gebouw bouw batiment maison edificio huis casa brick organic siedlung unesco world heritage site world heritage site ringsiedlung jenskristianseier seier+seier creative commons CC
siemensstadt housing, berlin, germany, 1929.
architect: hugo häring, 1882-1958.
planning: hans scharoun, 1893-1972.
Tags: hugo häring hugo haring hugo häring haering haring architecture architektur housing social siemensstadt berlin germany deutschland der ring der ring hans scharoun house haus building modernism modernist bauhaus facade balcony arquitetura Architectuur Architettura gebäude gebouw bouw batiment maison edificio huis casa brick organic siedlung unesco world heritage site world heritage site ringsiedlung seier+seier creative commons CC
siemensstadt housing, berlin, germany, 1929.
architect: hugo häring, 1882-1958.
planning: hans scharoun, 1893-1972.
west facade.
this photo was uploaded with a CC license and may be used free of charge and in any way you see fit.
if possible, please name photographer "SEIER+SEIER". if not, don't.
as of july 2008, a UNESCO world heritage site
Tags: hugo häring hugo haring hugo häring haering haring architecture architektur housing social siemensstadt berlin germany deutschland der ring der ring hans scharoun house haus building modernism modernist bauhaus facade balcony arquitetura Architectuur Architettura gebäude gebouw bouw batiment maison edificio huis casa brick organic siedlung unesco world heritage site world heritage site ringsiedlung seier+seier creative commons CC
siemensstadt housing, berlin, germany, 1929.
architect: hugo häring, 1882-1958.
planning: hans scharoun, 1893-1972.
Tags: hugo häring hugo haring hugo häring haering haring architecture architektur housing social siemensstadt berlin germany deutschland der ring der ring hans scharoun house haus building modernism modernist bauhaus facade balcony arquitetura Architectuur Architettura gebäude gebouw bouw batiment maison edificio huis casa brick organic siedlung unesco world heritage site world heritage site ringsiedlung seier+seier creative commons CC
siemensstadt housing, berlin, germany, 1929.
architect: hugo häring, 1882-1958.
planning: hans scharoun, 1893-1972.
east facade as seen from stairs.
Tags: hugo häring hugo haring hugo häring haering haring architecture architektur housing social siemensstadt berlin germany deutschland der ring der ring hans scharoun house haus building modernism modernist bauhaus facade balcony arquitetura Architectuur Architettura gebäude gebouw bouw batiment maison edificio huis casa brick organic siedlung unesco world heritage site world heritage site ringsiedlung seier+seier creative commons CC