The Children’s Commune: Hannes Meyer’s Kinderheim in Mümliswil

One of the few built works by Hannes Meyer, the Kinderheim in Mümliswil was conceived as a “Children’s Commune,” a didactic summer camp where children could learn cooperative solidarity, self-management, and democratic dialogue. Yet, the building’s destiny proved as problematic as the intentions behind its creation were well-meaning. Tatiana Efrussi delves into the controversial history of this project, unpacking the context behind its creation, the contingencies and events that dramatically affected its use and operation, and reflects on the tension between the building’s dark trajectory and the contradictions inherent in its conception.