Hufeisensiedlung Berlin Neukölln
History of origins
In the 1920s, a large housing estate with around 2000 apartments was to be built on the site of the former Britz manor. Bruno Taut and Martin Wagner developed a concept in the New Building style, in simple, functional architecture. The garden architect Leberecht Migge was commissioned to design the open spaces, but the plans of Ottokar Wagler, head of the Neukölln garden department, were implemented.
The horseshoe-shaped, eponymous building, which encloses a green area with a pond, is the core of the estate. The building is set back somewhat from Fritz-Reuter-Allee, creating a square situation as the centre and entrance to the estate. The wide staircase adjoining the forecourt connects it with the green area and the pond. Apart from the horseshoe-shaped building in the middle, the other buildings are arranged in rows and adapted to the terrain.
In 2008, the Hufeisensiedlung was added to Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites as an essential settlement of Berlin's modern era. Thereupon, in 2010, the redesign and monument-friendly redevelopment of the hitherto neglected settlement was commissioned under the motto "Living in and with the monument".
Entwurf Hufeisenteich und Vorplatz von Leberecht Migge, 1926 © 1927 Siedlungswirtschaft
Entwurf Hufeisenteich und Vorplatz von Ottokar Wagler, März 1927 © 1927 Naturschutz- und Grünflächenamt Neukölln / Landesdenkmalamt Berlin
Entwurf Hufeisenteich und Vorplatz von Henningsen Landschaftsarchitekten, 2010 © 2010 Henningsen Landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB
Perennial planting by the pond
The perennial planting by the horseshoe pond is a colourful eye-catcher in the clearly structured settlement.
The pond forms the centre of the horseshoe settlement. He was already before the construction of the settlement in this place. According to its oval shape, the surrounding building was horseshoe-shaped, which gave the settlement its name.
The pond and the adjacent green space with the surrounding path were restored between 2010 and 2011 in accordance with the monument.
In the process, the large willows that grew up around the pond were largely preserved. The now restored horseshoe pond therefore does not appear as sterile and bare as in the year of its creation. The pond was re-sealed and equipped with new water technology.
According to historical models, the surrounding perennial band was created predominantly from irises and cranesbill. These plants are adapted to the various site conditions from wet, damp to dry. Water plants can be found here as well as perennials of the shady to sunny habitats with flowers in colour nuances from yellow to blue. Frogs and other creatures and insects have also settled here and feel at home.
Staudenpflanzung am Teich - Blau blühender Storchschnabel und gelb blühende Schwertlilien am Hufeisenteich. © 2012 Knut Honsell
Staudenpflanzung am Teich - Grüngelb blühender Frauenmantel neben verschiedenen Schwertlilien-Arten am frühsommerlichen Hufeisenteich. © 2012 Knut Honsell
Frosch im Hufeisenteich - Neugieriger Wasserbewohner im sommerlichen Teich. © 2012 Knut Honsell
Hufeisenteich um 1927 © 1927 Landesarchiv Berlin
- History of origins
- Perennial planting by the pond
