Nordbahndorfl: eclectic architecture and beyond

The original buildings still stand proudly along the Nordbahnhofstraße. The mansion block-type apartment buildings are built with decorative brick facades. On the corners towers emphasize the street grid. The architecture is typical for the eclectic late nineteenth century revival styles.

A peek into one of the Gartenhöfe. This communal outdoor space is for use of the residents of the surrounding apartments. Although garden court is the literal translation of Gartenhof, it often has a different meaning in Britain and especially in the USA. On the right a good example of how the architects have reduced the apparent scale of the housing development by using rows of separated apartment blocks with differentiated roof shapes.

The Mittnachtstraße (literally: Midnight Street) runs at a 90° angle off the Nordbahnhofstraße and bisects the neighbourhood. It is one of the few streets with trees in it, making the whole neighbourhood very urban in character.

The second phase of construction in 1911 saw the application of a different style of architecture. This is both apparent in the centrally placed bathhouse (left) and the apartment blocks.  The light, smooth rendering of the facades contrasts greatly with the older brick architecture. The stone dressings and plinth make  a subtle connection to the older architecture in colour.

This new block replaced a damaged block of eclectic architecture. It is executed in brick with rendered ribbon panels. Note the different effect this continues facade has on the streetscape and the perception of scale.

The original apartments in the Nordbahndorfl had no private outdoor space. The bring the living accommodation up to modern standards balconies have been added, The courtyard garden is still in communal use by the residents. Waste collection is located here. Most of the space is green and used for drying the washing, playing fields and small vegetable gardens.

The colour and banding of this continuous rendered facade contrasts sharply with the much older eclectic buildings. It is rather unfortunate that such architecture has been introduced here, as it stands apart so much from the original architecture of both the first and second building phase.