“The Growing House” - the Way to Solve the Housing Problem in Interwar Germany

Abstract

In the 20s and 30s in Europe new trends concerning not only architecture but also greenery accompanying it within the city limits appeared. One of the very interesting proposals was the, so called, “growing house” promoted by the most important modern movement architects. In 1932 Martin Wagner, the city architect of Berlin, published a book Das wachsende Haus presenting a new concept of the intelligent house - ergonomic, ecological, economical and flexible. The 24 architects’ proposals were published by Wagner, owing to the fact of their realization at the Berlin fairgrounds, at an exhibition entitled: Sonne, Luft und Haus für Alle. Such prominent architects as: Poelzig, Bartning, Gropius, Häring, Hilberseimer, Mendelsohn, Scharoun, Taut, Wagner and garden architect Leberecht Migge presented their designs at the exhibition. The idea of the concept was to give the inhabitants plots they could shape their house and garden on, according to their individual needs.