Restored gazebo: a piece of Frankfurt history awakens

Von Kl Redaktion

On September 1, 2024, a remarkable moment in city history is celebrated in Frankfurt am Main: the reopening of an allotment garden that was launched in 1927. Thanks to the support of the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD) and a variety of donations, the gazebo designed by the architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky after extensive restoration is now ready to be presented to the public. At 2:00 p.m. there is a festive act in the model garden of the new Frankfurt, in which the local curator Frankfurt am Main, Werner Völler, will also be present.

This allotment garden, which belongs to the Römerstadt settlement, exemplifies the social reform endings of the 1920s. Under the direction of the city council Ernst May, numerous green settlements were created during this time based on the ideas of the garden city movement. The gardens were designed for the residents of the apartment buildings and should not only serve as a resort of recreation, but also represent the cornerstones of urban life by bringing light, air and sun into city life.

The legacy of modernity

The allotment garden is more than just a leisure location; It is an important part of the cultural heritage. The arbor designed by Schütte-Lihotzky is not only practical on four square meters, but also a symbol of the time that reflects the everyday life of the workers during the Weimar Republic. The gazebo, equipped with a tool cabinet and a bicycle shed, acts as the core of the standardized allotment garden, which was created according to precise requirements. This is also shown in the standardization that was introduced at the time.

The DSD was significantly involved in the renovation. This organization has been promoting monuments and historical sites in Germany for many years. The lucky spiral, the Lotto pension lottery, and private donations have made it possible to finance the costly restoration work. Interestingly, this allotment garden is one of 280 monuments that the DSD supported in Hesse alone. The fact illustrates the commitment to maintain the cultural heritage of the region.

As part of the project, the “Frankfurt standard for small garden buildings” developed by Schütte-Lihotzky was also taken into account. This standard published in 1927 marked a milestone in the horticultural architecture. The close relationships between architecture and garden art became visible in an impressive manner by designing the gardens in such a way that they were able to achieve the greatest possible yield with optimal use of funds, which can also be seen as a kind of "laboratory" for the housekeeping. <

The restored arbor is of type II of the typed buildings at the time, which were developed by the building authority of the city of Frankfurt. With an entire usable area of ​​270 square meters, the arbor is multifunctional and offers protection for gardeners and space for garden tools - a prime example of efficient design and social Engagement in the architecture of modernity.