112 Technical data comes from: Gustav LAMPMANN, op.cit.; Wohnung und Werkraum..., op.cit.; Guido HARBERS, op.cit., p. 285–312, tables 85–100; Rudolf DELIUS, Werkbund – Versuchssiedlung in Breslau, ”Dekorative Kunst”, vol. 37, 1929, p. 272–280; Werkbund – Versuchssiedlung in Breslau. Ausstellung ”Wohnung und Werkraum”, ”Die Baugilde”, vol. 11, nr 13, 1929, p. 959–1009; MEINCK, op.cit., p. 155–159; O., Ein Spaziergang nach 3 Jahren, ”Ostdeutsche Bau-Zeitung-Breslau”, vol. 30, 1932, p. 298–300; Archiwum Budowlane Miasta Wrocławia – building project and statistical study; badania obiektu (dotyczy budynku Hansa Scharouna nr 31) in: Jadwiga URBANIK, Agnieszka GRYGLEWSKA, Studium historyczno-konserwatorskie budynku hotelowego przy ul. Kopernika 9 we Wrocławiu. Published research for the National Labour Inspectorate (owner of the building), vol. 1–4, typescript, Wrocław 1993. 113 All types of constructions were presented in the exhibition hall in section 5. ”Outside walls, ceilings, institutional methods, roofs, internal walls – under the direction of Paul Heim and Albert Kempter; construction materials – section 2. ”Stone, ceramics, concrete, pumice” under the direction of Adolf Martens; section 3. ”Metals, wood, glass, insulation materials” under the direction of Josefa Vineckýego. Wohnung und Werkraum..., op.cit., pp. 13–18, 22–26. 114 These were ”Schima” blocks made of gas concrete. An alternative was a cellular concrete, breeze block or concrete with pumice, or fire resistant particle board by ”Tekton”, Ligna” or ”Heraklith” (pieces sized 50 cm by 75 cm or bigger). 115 Other similar roofing materials used at that time were: ”Pappoleina”, ”Tropical” or ”Rexitekt”. 116 ”Ostpreussisches Heim”, 1929/30, p. VII.
5.3 Construction, materials and technologies
112
The Wrocław housing estate was also an experiment when it comes to construction technologies. The applied methods had been tested before though113. They were tested here in the particular and severe climate of Silesia. The aim was to find the most cost-effective and most modern construction technology: but something that was also quick and affordable. Special emphasis was put on prefabricated and panel constructions. A framework style was the most applied method, especially in the multifamily houses. It took over the function of the supporting walls and allowed for high-rise buildings and the free-shaping of the façade and the interiors. It was applied as a wooden, steel or reinforced concrete framework filled in with large-format elements. Only some detached and terraced houses were built using more traditional construction methods in which the outside wall was also the supporting constituent. The framework constructions used in many of the houses presented at the Wrocław exhibition worked very well, however, the material used as the filling agent left much to be desired. The aim was to find light and therefore easy to apply prefabricated units in order to keep construction costs to a minimum. Usually the filling matter was light concrete blocks, widely used in Europe before the war as a thermal and acoustic insulator for concrete walls or as an internal and external lining for a wooden framework114. At the time, the flat roofs posed a serious problem, not for construction reasons, but because of issues concerning damp insulation and water drainage. In 1929, a widespread type of tar called ”Ruberoid”115 had already been used to cover roofs for some thirty-five years. It could be applied directly onto concrete or a wooden framework and came in three colours: grey, red, and green116.
WuWA 1929 2014 97