Visit the Weissenhof Museum (Weissenhofmuseum im Haus Le Corbusier) to learn about a housing estate credited as being an early example of the “International Style” of modern architecture. In 1927 a team of 17 architects came together to design a prototype urban neighbourhood called the Weissenhof Estate (Weissenhofsiedlung). The Weissenhof Museum celebrates the exceptionality of the estate and the talents of its creators.
The museum is set in two of the estate’s semi-detached houses designed by the famed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Restored to their original glory in 2002, they highlight the social, technical and visual issues faced by artists of the modern period.
House 1 focuses on the history of the Weissenhof Estate. Interactive exhibits provide information about the various architects, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Victor Bourgeois. Find out how long the project took before completion, who funded it and how many people attended its inauguration. See models of many of the estate’s 33 buildings.
House 3 presents an authentic snapshot of how Le Corbusier’s house looked at the time of the 1927 exposition. Note the contemporary features of the bathroom, kitchen and maid’s quarters, among other rooms. Read reprinted publications about the estate. Enjoy city views from the balcony.
For more of an insight into this architectural endeavour, go for a stroll around the remainder of the estate. Note the collection of closely grouped apartment blocks, detached, semi-detached and terraced houses. They all have recurrent themes such as simple façades and roofs that also act as terraces.
The museum is about a 15-minute drive from Stuttgart’s city centre. Public buses stop nearby and the Killesberg metro station is just over a 5-minute walk away. Free parking is available on the streets outside the museum.
The Weissenhof Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, except select public holidays, and there’s an admission fee. Ask at the information desk about guided tours in English. An extended tour includes a guided walk through the Weissenhof Estate. The complete opening hours and fees are listed on the museum’s official website.
