The WuWA estate (Wohnungs- und Werkraumausstellung, or Exhibition of Dwellings and Workplaces) was established in 1929 in Wrocław as part of the international modernist movement. It was a unique urban planning experiment that aimed to present new, functional housing concepts that responded to the needs of society at the time. WuWA was one of six similar housing developments built in Europe at the time, alongside cities such as Stuttgart, Brno, Zurich, Prague and Vienna.
Objectives and urban design concept
The WuWA estate was designed to present new, economical and functional solutions in housing construction. The urban design by Adolf Rading and Heinrich Lauterbach envisaged the construction of both single- and two-family houses and multi-family buildings. The aim was to create housing that would respond to the growing demand for low-cost housing and to promote modern building technologies.
Thirty-seven buildings were constructed as part of the estate, including single-family, two-family, terraced and multi-family houses, as well as a single-storey kindergarten. Each of the buildings was intended to fulfil the principles of functionalism – they were simple in form, devoid of superfluous decoration, and their interiors were designed for maximum comfort of users. Another distinctive feature of the housing estate was the well-thought-out organisation of space – each family had access to gardens and the space between the buildings was intended for recreational areas.
View of the complex of buildings erected for the WuWa exhibition in 1929. Source: Herder Institut – Marburg
Architects and projects
Eleven architects were invited to realise the estate, giving them a great deal of creative freedom. Among them were Hans Scharoun, Adolf Rading, Heinrich Lauterbach, Emil Lange, Gustav Wolf and Paul Häusler. Each of them brought their own innovative solutions to the project, which aimed to combine aesthetics with functionality.
Hans Scharoun designed an innovative hotel house (No. 31), which was intended for childless families and single people. Adolf Rading created a house (No. 7) that was based on the idea of ‘socialising’ residential functions, promoting a communal lifestyle. Paul Heim and Albert Kempter presented a gallery house (No. 1), which stood out for its innovative circulation layout.
Building No. 7 in 1929 and today, after major reconstruction. Photo by Heinrich Klette and others, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons and SchiDD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Construction and materials
The WuWA estate was distinguished by its use of modern construction methods, which were intended to be both economical and innovative. The architects experimented with prefabricated elements, timber-frame technology and large-scale infill. Some of the buildings were constructed using timber framing, while others were based on steel or reinforced concrete frames.
However, these innovative solutions did not always work in practice. Problems with dampness, freezing walls or flat roofs that had difficulty draining water became a challenge for residents. Materials that worked well in warmer regions of Europe did not cope with the harsh climate of Wrocław.
Gallery rental house No. 1 in 1929 and today. Source: Die Form: Zeitschrift für gestaltende Arbeit Bonn&Berlin and mamik/fotopolska.eu, License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Interiors and furnishings
An important aspect of the design of the WuWA estate was also the adaptation of the interiors to the modern needs of the residents. The small flats could not be furnished with massive, traditional furniture – in their place were light, functional furnishings made of steel tubes or bent wood. Interior furnishings were to be accessible to everyone, which in practice meant promoting mass-produced furniture.
The architects also tried to introduce innovative solutions in the layout of the rooms. The day and night functions of the flats were clearly separated, and the living rooms were opened up onto terraces and gardens to maximise the use of natural light.
Multi-family house No. 3-6 in 2013 and after renovation in 2019. photo Neo[EZN]/fotopolska.eu
Significance and heritage
The WuWA estate, although completed almost 100 years ago, remains one of the most important examples of modernist architecture in Poland and Europe. Despite modifications to some of the buildings, as a whole it has survived almost intact (one house no. 32/33 was demolished) to this day and is living proof of how modern architecture could respond to social needs.
WuWA not only represented a model attempt to solve housing problems, but also opened up new perspectives in urban design. To this day, WuWA is an important part of Wrocław’s cultural heritage, and its unique architecture attracts architects and design enthusiasts from all over the world.
A fragment of row house 9-22 in 1929 and 2013. Photo “Wrocław Werkbund WuWA 1929 exhibition”, Jadwiga Urbanik – Museum of Architecture in Wrocław, Wrocław 2002 and SchiDD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Source: wroclaw.pl, pdm.irmir.pl
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