When the Future Grows Old and Turns Young Again. The legacy of the Henry and Emma Budge-Heim

This paper explores the Henry and Emma Budge-Heim (1928–1930) as part of the New Frankfurt project and among the first modern care homes for the elderly. Designed by Erika Habermann, Ferdinand Kramer, Werner Moser, and Mart Stam, it embodied a model of collective living for the elderly. Its architecture promoted social interaction through shared spaces and routines, while balancing privacy and publicity. Drawing on sources like Ilse Bing’s photos, Bergmann-Michel’s film, and Das neue Frankfurt magazine, the study highlights how Budge-Heim extended private life into communal realms. Its restoration in 2000–2001 and reopening as a senior residence confirms its relevance today. As ageing emerges as a critical concern in contemporary architecture, this case offers insights into how spatial strategies can respond to evolving notions of care and later life.