Available online
Description
Berlin is famous for its innovations in pre-war housing estates (known as Siedlungen) . In this film, shot in Berlin, Tim Benton traces the development of the Siedlungen from the picturesque garde...n city development of Staaken (1914) to the work of Taut at Britz, and Scharoun, Gropius, Haring and Bartning at Siemensstadt just before the war. In the later developments the smaller units of the garden city are combined into dramatic compositions, boldly proclaiming the identity of the Marxist housing associations which built them. These are contrasted with the more traditional design of their politically reactionary neighbouring estates. Despite their large scale composition made up of blocks of flats, the garden city ideal is never far away. Open balconies, trees and gardens play their part in some of the best housing estates ever to be built.
Berlin is famous for its innovations in pre-war housing estates (known as Siedlungen) . In this film, shot in Berlin, Tim Benton traces the development of the Siedlungen from the picturesque garde...n city development of Staaken (1914) to the work of Taut at Britz, and Scharoun, Gropius, Haring and Bartning at Siemensstadt just before the war. In the later developments the smaller units of the garden city are combined into dramatic compositions, boldly proclaiming the identity of the Marxist housing associations which built them. These are contrasted with the more traditional design of their politically reactionary neighbouring estates. Despite their large scale composition made up of blocks of flats, the garden city ideal is never far away. Open balconies, trees and gardens play their part in some of the best housing estates ever to be built.
| Module code and title: | A305, History of architecture and design 1890-1939 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A305; 09 |
| First transmission date: | 10-05-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:32 |
| Note: | This programme was awarded the bronze medal at the International Film Festival of Scientific and Educational Film in Padua in 1975. |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nick Levinson |
| Contributor: | Tim Benton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Apartment buildings; Bartnung; Haring; Housing architecture; Housing estates; Scharoun; Schmitthenner; Siedlungen; Siemenstadt estate; Taut |
| Subject terms: | Garden cities; Planned communities, German; Siedlungen |
| Footage description: | The whole programme was shot on location in Berlin. Benton looks at the Staaken housing estate of 1914, designed by Paul Schmitthenner. He points out various features. The next estate examined is the Schillerpark of 1924 by Bruno Taut. Benton discusses the monumental blocks of flats, built for the Gehag. Another Gehag estate by Taut, the Hlorseshore Siedlung in Britz, is examined in some detail Benton discusses external features first. Using plans and shots inside a typical flat, Benton describes the interior. Benton continues by looking at the central garden area and the overall shape of the blocks. The final section looks at the block from the outside and how it fits into the area. A De Ge Wo housing estate is looked at briefly as an example of the conservative tradition. Benton moves on to investigate the large Siemensstadt estate. He begins by discussing Scharoun's own block of flats, especially the front. Gropius' contribution to the estate is examined next, looking at the varying elements in the different blocks he designed. A block with flimsy-looking balconies designed by Otto Dartning is discussed. Haring's slightly quirky block is looked at next, the exterior being described first. Benton outlines the main features of the interiors and the balconies. The block by Scharoun, the architect in overall charge of Siemensstadt, is examined next. Benton sums up. |
| Master spool number: | HOU1470 |
| Production number: | 00525_3174 |
| Videofinder number: | 1752 |
| Available to public: | no |
