Several well-known architects participated in its construction, including Richard Riemerschmid, Heinrich Tessenow, Hermann Muthesius, Kurt Frick, Georg Metzendorf, Wilhelm Kreis and Bruno Paul.

Whilst the concept of Hellerau builds on the first garden city, at Letchworth in the UK, it in turn went on to influence other similar developments elsewhere.

Specifically, the Catalan architect Rafael Masó i Valentí visited Hellerau in 1912, and went on to build the garden community at S'Agaró on the Costa Brava in Spain.

Materials are typically cream rendered walls on a stone base, with red tile roofs and green windows (mainly with shutters).

The Deutsche Werkstatten, a large factory involved in the production of craft furniture, played a central role in the function of the community, but geographically lies on its southern edge.