Freidorf cooperative housing estate, garden city with 150 residential units in 35 buildings in Muttenz in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland
Freidorf is a residential housing estate from the early 1920s in Muttenz with about 150 row houses arranged around a central square with a fountain and monument. Each house has a small front garden and kitchen garden, while tree-lined streets create green corridors throughout the area.
The estate was designed and built by architect Hannes Meyer between 1919 and 1921 to provide affordable housing for workers within a cooperative community model. It became recognized as Switzerland's most important housing cooperative and gained international attention, symbolized by the Graf Zeppelin airship passing overhead in 1923.
The name Freidorf means "village of freedom" and reflects the founders' vision for community living. Residents use the shared gardens and green spaces for gatherings and outdoor activities that strengthen neighborhood bonds.
The estate is enclosed by a wall, creating a sense of a closed village, though visitors can freely walk through the streets and public spaces. The best time to visit is during good weather when gardens are in full growth, allowing you to experience the full character of the place.
The central cooperative building, constructed between 1922 and 1924, served as the heart of the community with spaces for meetings, shops, and cultural events. This building allowed residents to work, learn, and gather together, making it a vital hub for daily community life beyond just housing.
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