In recent years, the housing company STÄWOG in Bremerhaven has modernized two neighborhoods of plain residential buildings from the 1950s and made some barrier-free. In doing so, it has taken unusual paths to preserve affordable housing and promote cooperation among tenants.

From Keim:

Over the past 20 years, the municipal housing association STÄWOG has transformed the former problem district of Wulsdorf in Bremerhaven (Germany), where various nationalities and refugees live, into a modern residential area with lots of greenery. In the process, unsightly tenements from the 1950s and 1960s were revitalized, with additions like balconies and improved roofing. The unrenovated post-war buildings, once an eyesore in weathered grey and “military green,” now blend seamlessly into their surroundings thanks to thoughtful color concepts. For example, in Klushof, the building complex echoes the red clinker tone of historic brick buildings on the street-facing facade while maintaining a white inner courtyard that complements the greenery. In Wulsdorf, the residents desired more color, leading to vibrant facades and staircases. The housing association consistently opts for KEIMFARBEN products, appreciating their durability, color stability, and long-lasting brilliance. Notably, the Neuelandstraße residential complex in Klushof, which utilizes the KEIM AquaRoyal color system for facades and sol-silicate paints like Innotop and Optil for interiors, won the German Building Award 2018 for its successful revitalization.