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Contested Architecture: The ‘Woba’ Residential Colony in Basel, 1930
[journal article]
Abstract In 1930, a housing exhibition called ‘Woba’ took place in the city of Basel. Unique for Switzerland, the commercial aspect of the furniture industry was complemented by a newly constructed residential colony. In accordance with discussions held one year before at the II CIAM congress in Frankfurt a.... view more
In 1930, a housing exhibition called ‘Woba’ took place in the city of Basel. Unique for Switzerland, the commercial aspect of the furniture industry was complemented by a newly constructed residential colony. In accordance with discussions held one year before at the II CIAM congress in Frankfurt a. M., the Wohnung für das Existenzminimum was brought to life. Thirteen architectural offices experimented with different spatial designs in order to develop cheap and hygienic housing for the working class. For one month, some of the houses were open to the public. In the Swiss press, a vivid and controversial debate arose. On one side, its supporters advocated for standardized and rationalized housing as an appropriate way of living for modern individuals. On the other side, conservative forces saw a communist scheme at work in this housing in the style of Neues Bauen. By analyzing contemporary press articles on the Woba, this paper shows that the question of society’s future was being negotiated through architecture and furniture.... view less
Keywords
Switzerland; twentieth century; architecture; sociology of architecture; residential behavior; settlement; subsistence level; way of life
Classification
Sociology of Settlements and Housing, Urban Sociology
Free Keywords
Baubolschewismus; Hans Schmidt; Neues Bauen; Typenmöbel; Woba; anti-communism; minimal housing; modern society; social engineering; sociology of architecture
Document language
English
Publication Year
2019
Page/Pages
p. 212-222
Journal
Urban Planning, 4 (2019) 3
Issue topic
Housing Builds Cities
ISSN
2183-7635
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed