The Weissenhofsiedlung

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The Weissenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart holds significant importance in early modern architecture history. Influential 20th-century architects presented their visions for 'a home for modern city dwellers' on the scenic slope north of Stuttgart. The selection of architects and the project's realization shortly after World War I and inflation highlight its uniqueness. The German Werkbund emphasized that such a crucial task could only succeed with technically sound and trendsetting architectural solutions. A memorandum from January 1926 urged the Stuttgart municipal council to commission leading architects for the exhibition, which was vital for advancing housing in Germany and beyond. The council's decision was pivotal, resulting in 25 votes in favor, 11 against, and 6 abstentions. The project's arrival in Stuttgart was facilitated by a favorable combination of personnel and timing, with Gustaf Stotz as the key initiator, inspiring both the German Werkbund and the city leadership. His efforts led to Mies van der Rohe taking on the role of artistic director. While many architects involved were young and relatively unknown outside avant-garde circles, the project was initially viewed as a preparatory endeavor for a larger exhibition in Berlin in 1930. Karin Kirsch, who studied under Herbert Hirche, focused her research on the Weissenhofsiedlung and Japan's impact on modern architecture.