Großsiedlung Siemensstadt
Modernist housing estate in Berlin, UNESCO World Heritage since 2008.
The Großsiedlung Siemensstadt, also called the Ring Settlement or Ringsiedlung, is a non-profit housing community located in Berlin’s Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. In July 2008, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site as one of six Modernist Housing Estates in Berlin, recognized for its exceptional modernist architecture and its role in the progressive housing reform movement of the Weimar Republic.
Although it bears the name Siemensstadt, most of the estate lies within the Charlottenburg-Nord locality; only its smaller western section falls within the Siemensstadt area of the Spandau district.
Built between 1929 and 1931, the settlement followed an overall master plan by German architect Hans Scharoun. Six prominent Weimar-era architects contributed: Scharoun, Fred Forbát, Otto Bartning, Walter Gropius, Paul Rudolph Henning, and Hugo Häring. The nickname Ringsiedlung came from the involvement of several of these architects in the Der Ring collective. The open spaces were designed by German modernist landscape architect Leberecht Migge.
Unlike other major public housing projects of the era, which were developed under the government cooperative Gehag, Siemensstadt was built by the non-profit housing company 'Gemeinnützige Baugesellschaft Siemensstadt mbH', a Siemens subsidiary, to provide worker housing for Siemens’ nearby electrical factory, which employed 60,000 people. The settlement’s design marked a shift in urban planning: Berlin’s city planner Martin Wagner abandoned a low-rise, garden-city concept with individual gardens in favor of denser multi-story apartment blocks.
Throughout the settlement, information columns offer brief details about the architects and their buildings (currently available only in German).
- sponsor
- Non-profit housing company 'Gemeinnützige Baugesellschaft Siemensstadt mbH' (Siemens subsidiary)
Lore & Background
The settlement was built between 1929 and 1931 under the overall master plan of German architect Hans Scharoun. Six prominent Weimar-era architects took part: Hans Scharoun, Fred Forbát, Otto Bartning, Walter Gropius, Paul Rudolph Henning, and Hugo Häring. The nickname Ringsiedlung came from the association of some of these architects with the Der Ring collective. The open spaces were designed by German modernist landscape architect Leberecht Migge.
Reader's Guide
Unlike other significant public housing projects of the time produced under government cooperative Gehag sponsorship, the Siemensstadt was constructed by a private housing cooperative as worker housing for Siemens' nearby electrical factory, which employed 60,000 workers. The shape of the settlement marked a turning point in urban thinking, the point at which Berlin's city planner Martin Wagner abandoned a low-rise, garden city-style project with individual gardens, in favor of much denser multi-story apartment blocks. Its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008 underscores its importance as an example of modernist architecture and the progressive housing reform movement during the Weimar Republic.
Did You Know?
- Despite its name, the larger part of the estate is in Charlottenburg-Nord, not Siemensstadt.
- It was built as worker housing for Siemens' nearby electrical factory, which employed 60,000 workers.
- The nickname Ringsiedlung comes from the Der Ring collective of architects.
- Information columns distributed throughout the settlement give details on the architects and buildings, currently in German only.
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