The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Frankfurt am Main is presenting a comprehensive new exhibition that examines the evolution of mass housing architecture across three major European cities during the interwar period. The exhibition, titled "Departure to the Modern City 1925-1933: Frankfurt, Vienna and Hamburg – Three Models in Comparison," officially opened on October 29, 2025, and will run through January 25, 2026.
This ambitious show forms part of the ongoing celebration of the 100th anniversary of "New Frankfurt," the groundbreaking urban planning program that transformed the Main metropolis into an exemplary modern city. The exhibition takes a broader perspective by examining not only Frankfurt's pioneering housing settlements but also Vienna's renowned municipal housing projects, known as Gemeindebauten from "Red Vienna," and Hamburg's innovative residential blocks from the Wohnstadt Hamburg program.
The three urban development examples showcased in the exhibition illustrate how individual concepts and architectural approaches evolved despite similar political conditions, methodologies, and visions of New Building modernism. The typological comparison of mass housing illuminates not only the distinctive features and differences between these various models but also questions established narratives about social ideals and civic self-understanding during this transformative period.
Among the notable projects featured are Frankfurt's Römerstadt settlement designed by Carl-Hermann Rudloff, Hamburg's Jarrestadt development by Karl Schneider, and Vienna's Wynarskyhof complex by Peter Behrens. The exhibition also highlights Hamburg's Laubenganghaus Heidhörn with its distinctive rooftop terrace and Vienna's monumental Karl-Marx-Hof designed by Karl Ehn, along with aerial views of Frankfurt's Römerstadt settlement that demonstrate the scale and ambition of these housing initiatives.
The retrospective examination of these pioneering historical achievements creates connections to contemporary challenges, potentially offering insights for addressing current housing crises. The exhibition complements two other related shows currently running at MAK until January 11, 2026: "Yes, We Care!" and "Who Was the New Frankfurt?" These exhibitions are further supported by the accompanying publication "Yes, We Care! The New Frankfurt and the Question of Public Welfare."
Located at Schaumainkai 17 in Frankfurt am Main, the Museum of Applied Arts provides an ideal setting for this exploration of how three different European cities approached the challenge of providing quality housing for their growing urban populations during a crucial period of architectural and social innovation.
