Siemensstadt Housing Estate

Siemensstadt is one of the six housing estates of Berlin Modernism that became a World Heritage Site in 2008. It was built from 1929 to 34 by the architects Otto Bartning, Fred Forbat, Walter Gropius, Hugo Häring, Paul Rudolf Henning and Hans Scharoun and the landscape architect Leberecht Migge. At this time, Berlin was a beacon of humane, high-quality social housing, built by co-operatives and influenced by Bauhaus design and the Garden City movement. Most of the architects were members of the progressive group ‘Der Ring’, so the development became known as ‘The Ring Estate’ though it was in the area already named Siemensstadt that housed many workers from the Siemens factory. Each of the architects provided different designs within an overall masterplan by Scharoun. Natural light, green spaces and social facilities were key principles. In all, 1,370 apartments were built. The estate was a model for post-war housing.

Visitors can walk or cycle the estate. Information is available on panels or the World Heritage site website. An info station is at Goebelstraße 2.