Le Corbusier and the Weissenhof houses

One of the most significant historical events for the affirmation of the ideas of the Modern Movement in architecture was the realization of the Weissenhof in Stuttgart in 1927. The model-neighbourhood, built for the Werkbund’s second exhibition enjoyed outstanding success and remains today one of the most important witnesses of unity of purpose that inspired the avant-garde architects of the period1. The twenty-one buildings created displayed some common features along with a functionalist approach to the project which extended to include time constraints and construction costs (the entire complex was built in less than five months). The project director was Mies Van Der Rohe who took charge of the management aspects and the organizing of the master plan, choosing architects and assigning lots and funds. Among the architects in charge of drawing up designs, as well as Le Corbusier and Mies himself, were the Germans Walter Gropius, Hans Scharoun and Bruno Taut, the Dutch Mart Stam and JJP Oud and the Belgian Victor Bourgeois.