Dessau Törten Estate: A little happiness in the big plan.

    Design Walter Gropius / Built: 1926-28
    Commissioned by the municipality of Dessau
    Interboro, New York

Social democratic politicians in the municipalities saw the rational building method as an opportunity to take control of the pressing problem of housing shortage in the booming industrial town of Dessau in the 1920s. The Törten Estate was built as a trial residential settlement, with three diverse housing typologies, in order to provide inexpensive housing for workmen and employees. During the 20th century, the estate’s dictates were overturned by the residents, who took up the practice of private acquisition. For many years, tourists expecting to see the images of the white “planned city” disseminated worldwide turned away from the owners’ "handiwork” in disappointment. Following the estate’s re-evaluation post-1990, Dessau has nevertheless rediscovered housing, Gropius and Törten for itself.

Pictures of the Workshop