“Isn’t it blue?” I overheard a child ask his mother as they passed by. That’s right, we are standing in front of the Blaue Heimat in Heidelberg. This housing complex has a fascinating story. It reflects Heidelberg’s social housing efforts in the early 20th century.
Let’s step back in time to the 1920s. Germany was recovering from World War I. Cities like Heidelberg faced rapid population growth. Affordable housing became a critical need. The Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Grund- und Hausbesitz mbH was founded in 1921. It is known as GGH. Its mission was to address this housing shortage.
The Blaue Heimat was GGH’s second major project after the Atzelhof. Construction began in 1926. Thanks to modern building techniques, the initial phase of 100 apartments and shops was completed in just 100 days. The buildings’ distinctive facade color quickly led to the name “Blaue Heimat” or “Blue Home.” A second construction phase was finished in 1934.
The Blaue Heimat consists of buildings along Mühling-, Hans-Thoma- and Trübner Streets. Pass through the arched gateways. You will find a large courtyard with a lawn. Originally, a fountain graced the courtyard. There were also clotheslines for drying laundry. Kitchens and their balconies faced the courtyard. This allowed mothers to watch their children while cooking.
Most apartments featured two or three rooms. They had a kitchen and a small balcony. Bathrooms were rare. Only ground-floor apartments had them. Rooms were heated by cast iron stoves. The kitchens had tiled stoves. The Blaue Heimat offered living standards far above the norm for social housing at the time.
The “Wagnerische Prinzip” helped keep costs down. This innovative construction method used a reinforced concrete frame. The brickwork served as insulation. This sped up construction and drying times. In 1927, the building cost around 950,000 Reichsmark.
The Blaue Heimat’s residents included workers, clerks and civil servants. Also self-employed professionals lived here. Rent was 66 Pfennig per square meter.
In the early 2000s, the Blaue Heimat underwent extensive renovations. The focus was on energy efficiency. Triple-glazed windows and thermal insulation were installed. An active ventilation system with heat recovery was added. Photovoltaic panels were placed on the roof. Apartment layouts were improved and balconies were added. Attic spaces were converted. These upgrades increased the living quality. Many tenants returned to their renovated apartments after living elsewhere during construction.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2021, GGH opened a museum in the Blaue Heimat. It features a permanent exhibit and a furnished apartment from the 1920s. The exhibit at Mühlingstraße 22 showcases Heidelberg’s housing history. A few doors down, at Mühlingstraße 16, the museum apartment recreates the life of a typical Heidelberg family.
Step inside the museum apartment. Imagine the conversations of Friedrich Zuber, his wife Gretchen and their children Heinz and Lotte. What did they eat? What clothes did they wear? What did they do for fun?
Today, the Blaue Heimat is also part of Handschuhsheim’s historical trail. A glass panel tells its story. A QR code links to more information.
The Blaue Heimat stands as a testament to Heidelberg’s commitment to social housing. It combines historical significance with modern living.