DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45213#0157
Function, layouts and interior design
347
157
The WUWA model housing estate comprised of two distinct parts: one with blocks of flats and row-
houses, the other with detached and semi-detached houses.347 348 In Wroclaw, in contrast to Stuttgart,
the focus was on smaller flats. Faced with the acute housing problem and growing world-wide eco-
nomic crisis, the architects and organisers wanted to present new varieties of affordable housing
and cheap construction methods. The architects addressed the needs of communal living in tene-
ment houses and developed a number of Existenzminimum row-houses. On the other hand, the de-
tached and semi-detached houses (over 150 m2), surrounded by gardens, offered a higher standard,
functional layouts and restrained but sophisticated architectural detail. With their spacious interiors
and large windows, they exemplified the idea of a living space for the "New Man" (Neuer Mensch).
The architects generally followed the five rules formulated by Le Corbusier. The radical creed was: "It
is not luxury or stylised form, but modern form, materials and colours that give the best result."349
Various layouts and functional solutions were presented. The objective was to provide each
resident with a private bedroom. On the other hand, rooms designated for daytime activities were
combined into a larger, flexible space. It was preferable that the rooms open into the east or west.
The aforementioned apartment blocks by Scharoun (No. 31) and Rading (No. 7) and the gallery-
access apartment block by Heim and Kempter (No. 1) were the biggest structures and provided the
dominating accents. Hans Scharoun designed an innovative type of housing for modern urban liv-
347 For detailed descriptions of layouts, see the catalogue of the WUWA buildings featured in this book.
348 Kurt LANGER, 'Die Ausstellung Wohnung und Werkraum in Breslau, Sommer 1929', Ostdeutsche Bau-Zeitung-Breslau 1929, p.36. A small heat-
generating plant, located near the tram depot (opposite the estate) supplied heating and hot water. Gas cookers were installed so there were
no smoking chimneys, except for Scharoun's hostel (No. 31), which had its own boiler room in the basement.
349 Adolf ROTHENBERG, op.cit., p.349.
347
157
The WUWA model housing estate comprised of two distinct parts: one with blocks of flats and row-
houses, the other with detached and semi-detached houses.347 348 In Wroclaw, in contrast to Stuttgart,
the focus was on smaller flats. Faced with the acute housing problem and growing world-wide eco-
nomic crisis, the architects and organisers wanted to present new varieties of affordable housing
and cheap construction methods. The architects addressed the needs of communal living in tene-
ment houses and developed a number of Existenzminimum row-houses. On the other hand, the de-
tached and semi-detached houses (over 150 m2), surrounded by gardens, offered a higher standard,
functional layouts and restrained but sophisticated architectural detail. With their spacious interiors
and large windows, they exemplified the idea of a living space for the "New Man" (Neuer Mensch).
The architects generally followed the five rules formulated by Le Corbusier. The radical creed was: "It
is not luxury or stylised form, but modern form, materials and colours that give the best result."349
Various layouts and functional solutions were presented. The objective was to provide each
resident with a private bedroom. On the other hand, rooms designated for daytime activities were
combined into a larger, flexible space. It was preferable that the rooms open into the east or west.
The aforementioned apartment blocks by Scharoun (No. 31) and Rading (No. 7) and the gallery-
access apartment block by Heim and Kempter (No. 1) were the biggest structures and provided the
dominating accents. Hans Scharoun designed an innovative type of housing for modern urban liv-
347 For detailed descriptions of layouts, see the catalogue of the WUWA buildings featured in this book.
348 Kurt LANGER, 'Die Ausstellung Wohnung und Werkraum in Breslau, Sommer 1929', Ostdeutsche Bau-Zeitung-Breslau 1929, p.36. A small heat-
generating plant, located near the tram depot (opposite the estate) supplied heating and hot water. Gas cookers were installed so there were
no smoking chimneys, except for Scharoun's hostel (No. 31), which had its own boiler room in the basement.
349 Adolf ROTHENBERG, op.cit., p.349.