Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taut´s Home a museum?
Yes, but in a very unique and special way: Since we believe that architecture and design can only be experienced by actually using it, the house serves as a museum-like holiday house that can be rented for overnight stays, allows self-catering and provides room for up to four guests. This gives you the chance to experience Bauhaus style, World Heritage and Bruno Taut´s visionary design in real life.
I am in Berlin, but I am staying with friends or elsewhere. Can I just visit the house?
No, that is not possible. Taut´s Home is not a museum that can be visited regularly, but it is rented out for overnight stays of several days.
Do you also rent out Taut´s Home as a typical 1920s film and photo location?
Yes, it is possible to rent the house for commercial photo sessions and film shoots. You will find all the essential details in the databases of the Berlin-Brandenburg Film-Commission (bfcc) and on the location portal plush74. Special conditions apply. Please note that the number of crew members is limited, we attach importance to insurance and that house and garden are located in a residential area. For the choice of possible shooting days, please look out for gaps in our booking calendar. Alternatively we also rent parts of our private house (which is also listed with the databases above).
Is all equipment provided?
Yes. We believe that nothing is missing (except for a TV which we considered unappropriate). For a detailed overview please see our list of equipment. To make your stay more comfortable the beds are prepared with fresh sheetings. During winter the heating will be running.
Do you rent just for the weekend?
Not on regular basis. The minumum rental period should be three days. But if you have enough time, we suggest you spend at least a week, because there is so much to see and rates get cheaper. For more information please check rates + offers.
I want to stay for several weeks. Are there special conditions?
Yes. We offer a reduced weekly fee and the rate might drop further if you are planning to stay longer, especially in winter season. Special rates are available for regular visitors, trade show vendors, commuters or professionals on local assignment. Please contact us for details.
How many people can stay at Taut’s Home?
The house is best suited for two to three guests; the maximum is four. There is a king-sized bed (160 x 220 cm) and a queen-sized bed (140 x 200 cm). On request there is a 120 cm long cot. The house is not suitable to host larger groups of guests.
Can I use all the facilities?
Yes, of course. But as nearly all the furnishings are originals from around 1910 to the 1930s, we ask you to handle everything with care.
Is Taut’s Home suitable for children?
Yes, up to a point. It’s fine to bring children along, but note that the stairwells in Horseshoe Estate are steep and narrow. We also ask younger guests and their parents to treat all original items and the accurately regained wall paints with special care and respect, because they’re difficult to repair.
What about self-catering?
No problem. The kitchen is fully equipped with stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, pots and dishes. In the immediate vicinity and walking distance there are several supermarkets, restaurants and small shops for your daily needs. There is also a weekly farmers market.
Can I borrow a bike at Taut's Home?
Yes, you can rent two foldable brand new bikes on request and for a little add-on fee. The bikes manufactured by Bickerton have three gears, can be easily adjusted and are capable for mid-long rides. If they are completely folded and you can carry them on public transport for free and start your ride just somewhere in the city centre.
Can I bring my pet?
Unfortunately no. In consideration of guests with allergies, we ask everyone to bear with us.
Can I invite friends?
Yes, to a degree. It´s OK to invite 2-3 people for a coffee, but house and/or garden are definetely not suitable as a party or gathering location. In case of questions concerning additional visitors or potential overnight guests, we are happy to assist.
Can I smoke in the house?
No, unfortunately. You are free to smoke in the yard or on the patio. Inside, we ask all guests to refrain from smoking.
Is there an Internet connection?
Yes. There’s a wireless network with a fast DSL connection. Guests can log in with a password free of charge. Mobile use is also possible.
Do I need to bring bed linen or towels?
No. All beds are already prepared and each guest is provided with two towels for the week. You can also use the washing machine and dryer in the basement.
I am already around. Where can I find the address and house number?
We have deliberately decided no to publish the address on the website so that guests and neighbours are not unnecessarily disturbed by curious walking tourists. You will receive the address during the booking process. Our personal contact details can be found in the imprint.
Where do I fetch the keys?
Since we live nearby just 80 meters away, this is usually very simple. If we should be occupied or abroad there are friends you can address to. We tell you via mail in detail when the booking is confirmed.
Do you offer gift certificates for Taut’s Home?
Yes. We can send you a dated voucher and you fill in the recipients’ names. Or we can issue you an undated voucher, to be redeemed subject to availability. The voucher might also be combined with an issue of our recently published guide about Bruno Tauts Hufeisensiedlung.
Do you have other print and promotional materials?
Yes, we have a pdf leaflet in English or German, which we can send you by email or post. If you’re a travel industry professional or run a organization addressing a similar audience and therefore require a large number of brochures, please contact us directly.
How long does it take to the city center?
Berlin is a widespread city, but public transport is very good and closeby. The subway to Friedrichstraße or Alexanderplatz stations takes only 20 to 25 minutes. Travel to western Berlin (e.g. Kurfürstendamm, Zoo or KaDeWe) is about 35 minutes. To go there you might go by bus or underground.
Can I book Taut’s Home for work, research or my companies guests?
Yes, of course. We also rent the place to companies, universities, museums or organizations looking for a special place to accommodate their guests or fellows from abroad. At Taut's Home we provide working guests not just with a special and intimate atmosphere but also with a vintage office desk and WiFi, the most asked-for items. For those interested in architecture, there’s a small reference library with key titles on Bruno Taut, housing reform and modern architecture and certain maps and travel guides what to see in Berlin. If you are looking for a place like this in a business context (i.e. one of the various fairs or festivals), please contact us directly. Special rates may be arranged, especially during the winter season.
Are there special deals for city transit?
Yes. Public transit authority BVG sells passes for one-day, weekend and weekly use. There are also three types of combination tickets with discounts to various museums and attractions, such as the Berlin “CityTourCard – Museum Island.” If you want to visit several main attractions, the Berlin Welcome Card and the City Tour Card-Tourist Ticket are a better option. For more details, visit www.bvg.de.
How far is it to the airport(s)?
Just 50 m from Taut’s Home, the subway U7 connects you to "Rudow" station, where you catch an express bus to Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport (BER – at the same spot like former SXF Airport. Depending on your connection, plan 20-40 minutes for the journey.
(Note: The frequently announced new "Berlin Brandenburg International Airport" BBI will replace SXF at the same location.)
Can I park my car near the house?
Yes, that’s generally not a problem. If you don’t find parking right in front of the house, you most certainly will in the adjacent, slightly wider streets Fritz-Reuter-Allee and Parchimer Allee.
Is Taut’s Home accessible for the mobility impaired?
No, unfortunately, due to the legal constraints of a heritage property. There are steps and thresholds, bed- and bathrooms are upstairs.
I’m a tour guide myself. Can my group visit Taut’s Home?
No, not on a regular basis since this is not the main focus of this project. Taut’s Home is primarily a vacation home, so it’s strictly not accessible when occupied. But if the property isn’t being used, there might be a exception from the rule so that a visit for certain groups might be arranged. Please note that we charge a small fee for this service, in order to cover our overhead and cleaning costs.
Are there guided tours of the Horseshoe Estate?
Yes. The owners lead regular guided tours of various groups, both large and small. Both of them have very good knowledge about the estate. Katrin wrote the scientific expertise for all green an public spaces around. Ben is responsible for developing the content of the museum in the central compound and published a book about the estate recently. Tours maybe conducted in English too. For those who stay at Taut's Home we offer a guided walk (1-2 hours) for a special rate of €70 which might also include some friends from other parts of Berlin. Feel free to contact us for a booking.
Do you offer guided tours to other architectural sights?
Yes, to a degree: Ben Buschfeld also wrote and compiled a website about the six UNESCO world heritage estates in Berlin and also offers short tours to the other five estates. All tours can be given in German or English. Katrin Lesser works as a landscape architect and writer specialised on garden monument restoration and can provide information about various other garden monuments where she was involved in scientific research and/or reconstruction work. Besides the granddaughter of noted landscape architect Ludwig Lesser, who cooperated with Bruno Taut, i.e. in the UNESCO listed Falkenberg Garden City. For most other sites, we cooperate with Ticket B and Context-Travel, two specialist providers of urban architecture tours - and we are also part of the Plus One Network. At our little library we have certain maps and publications helping to find good places to visit. Please also note our link-section.
Do rates vary if I book with you directly or through an online portal?
Yes, this might happen, since some online portals charge a booking and placement fee. These fees don’t apply if you book directly. But if you found us through a portal and already used their contact option, we need to arrange the booking there
One more question: "Tautes Heim" – What does this mean?
This is a play on the common and traditional German saying "Trautes Heim – Glück allein". We just left out the "r" to make it fit to the architects name. There is no real equivalent for the original meaning but you might compare it with "Home Sweet Home" identifying familiar and nicely kept surroundings as the source of true happiness. You'll get the meaning when you stay here ...

If you have further questions please send us an email at
info@tautes-heim.de

Frequently Asked Questions

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