DOI Heft:
No. 254 (June 1914)
DOI Artikel:Jessen, Jarno: Architectural developments in the suburbs of Berlin
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21210#0072
Architectural Developments in Berlin Suburbs
TAPISSERIE F.N LAINES RUSTIQUES ( Sociiti Rationale) BY MADAME FERN AN DE MAIL! \M>
ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOP-
Z\ MENTS IN THE SUBURBS OE
BERLIN.
The transforming spirit of our day has given
Berlin a new physiognomy. All the historical phases
of its development under the Hohenzollern dynasty
are still to be studied—the baroque buildings
from the reign of the Great Elector and the first King
of Prussia, the rococo of Frederick the Great, and the
classical style which that monarch inaugurated
and his successors continued. And now for nearly
twenty years the modern movement with its prin-
ciples of solid materials, broad facade-surfaces and
uniformity of the general street aspect has held
sway, and thus the Capital of the Empire appears
at first sight to be by no means lacking in variety
of architectural effect, though it must impress the
visitor as utterly lacking in style in consequence of
the individualistic rtgardlessness with which it has
been built up. Yet its very contradictoriness and
the electric pulse of life, everywhere perceptible,
exercise a strong fascination. Surprises in the
shape of interesting novelties are not rare even in
the heart of the city, but real revelations await us
in the outskirts, especially in the western and south-
western suburbs, which, in consequence of the
rapid and never-ceasing growth of the capital, have
become organic constituents of it. A logical and
sane modernism has utterly transformed suburbs
like Charlottenburg, Schoneberg, Friedenau, Wil-
52
mersdorf and other places m the neighbourhood of
the Spandau forest.
The last-named place especially has quite lately
undergone a complete and remarkable metamor-
phosis. Twenty-five years ago it was a modest
peasant settlement in the midst of heath and swamp,
but to-day it is the favourite abode of the wealthy
citizen, and the houses and tenements are in great
demand. The new streets here are broad, and the
blocks of flats are of a distinguished character and
provided with every modern comfort, while special
features of the suburb are the parks and numerous
fine " Platze," and the charming garden terrace
quarter, " The Rhinegau," for which the architect
Jatzow has derived fruitful inspiration from English
models.
The art of the garden architect has had ample
siope for display here as well as in the business
streets and in the railway buildings ; in the stately
Riidesheimer Platz, with its majestic equestrian
group, in the rustic idyll of the Nikolsburger
Platz, with its Goose-Girl fountain, in the landscape-
character of the Preussen Park, and the sunk
garden arrangement of the Olivaer Platz with its
enormous central rose-bed, pergola and fountain
pool, delightful effects have been achieved. Con-
stantly varying plans surprise the promenader and
show how high art in the shape of monuments
and fountains, and applied art in the form of
kiosks, pergolas, garden-houses and seats have
crowned utility with grace. Jarno Jessk\.
TAPISSERIE F.N LAINES RUSTIQUES ( Sociiti Rationale) BY MADAME FERN AN DE MAIL! \M>
ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOP-
Z\ MENTS IN THE SUBURBS OE
BERLIN.
The transforming spirit of our day has given
Berlin a new physiognomy. All the historical phases
of its development under the Hohenzollern dynasty
are still to be studied—the baroque buildings
from the reign of the Great Elector and the first King
of Prussia, the rococo of Frederick the Great, and the
classical style which that monarch inaugurated
and his successors continued. And now for nearly
twenty years the modern movement with its prin-
ciples of solid materials, broad facade-surfaces and
uniformity of the general street aspect has held
sway, and thus the Capital of the Empire appears
at first sight to be by no means lacking in variety
of architectural effect, though it must impress the
visitor as utterly lacking in style in consequence of
the individualistic rtgardlessness with which it has
been built up. Yet its very contradictoriness and
the electric pulse of life, everywhere perceptible,
exercise a strong fascination. Surprises in the
shape of interesting novelties are not rare even in
the heart of the city, but real revelations await us
in the outskirts, especially in the western and south-
western suburbs, which, in consequence of the
rapid and never-ceasing growth of the capital, have
become organic constituents of it. A logical and
sane modernism has utterly transformed suburbs
like Charlottenburg, Schoneberg, Friedenau, Wil-
52
mersdorf and other places m the neighbourhood of
the Spandau forest.
The last-named place especially has quite lately
undergone a complete and remarkable metamor-
phosis. Twenty-five years ago it was a modest
peasant settlement in the midst of heath and swamp,
but to-day it is the favourite abode of the wealthy
citizen, and the houses and tenements are in great
demand. The new streets here are broad, and the
blocks of flats are of a distinguished character and
provided with every modern comfort, while special
features of the suburb are the parks and numerous
fine " Platze," and the charming garden terrace
quarter, " The Rhinegau," for which the architect
Jatzow has derived fruitful inspiration from English
models.
The art of the garden architect has had ample
siope for display here as well as in the business
streets and in the railway buildings ; in the stately
Riidesheimer Platz, with its majestic equestrian
group, in the rustic idyll of the Nikolsburger
Platz, with its Goose-Girl fountain, in the landscape-
character of the Preussen Park, and the sunk
garden arrangement of the Olivaer Platz with its
enormous central rose-bed, pergola and fountain
pool, delightful effects have been achieved. Con-
stantly varying plans surprise the promenader and
show how high art in the shape of monuments
and fountains, and applied art in the form of
kiosks, pergolas, garden-houses and seats have
crowned utility with grace. Jarno Jessk\.