lAube

Laube is a German term for a small garden shelter or arbor. It denotes a freestanding or partially enclosed structure with a roof, often built of timber, and with open or lattice walls. Lauben are designed as places for shade, rest, and social or solitary recreation in private gardens, public parks, and allotment gardens.

In design terms, a laube typically includes seating such as benches or a small table, and may feature built‑in storage or a simple interior. The exterior is commonly enhanced with climbing plants or decorative screens, and the shelter can be open on several sides or partially enclosed. Variants exist, ranging from simple frames to more substantial pavilions.

Historically, lauben were a popular element of garden and landscape culture in German‑speaking regions, especially from the 18th century onward. The compound term Gartenlaube (garden arbor) has entered broader usage and, notably, Die Gartenlaube was the name of a widely read 19th‑century German magazine that promoted family life and gardening.

Today, lauben remain common in private gardens and in the German allotment system (Kleingartenanlagen), where they provide a functional retreat from sun or rain and extra storage for gardening tools. Local regulations often govern their size, placement, and construction to balance aesthetics with safety and neighborhood guidelines.

See also: arbor, gazebo, Pergola, Gartenlaube.