The Blue and The White House, Cultural property in Basel, Switzerland
The Blue and White House are two adjacent residential buildings at Rheinsprung 16 and 18 featuring contrasting colored facades and elaborate architectural details. The Blue House displays a blue exterior, while the White House has a white painted surface, both adorned with ornamental window and door surrounds.
These buildings were constructed between 1763 and 1775 as residences for brothers Lukas and Jakob Sarasin, who ran a prosperous silk ribbon trading business. This construction period coincided with Basel's economic growth, evident in the elaborate interior appointments.
The buildings display ornate stucco ceilings crafted by Johann Martin Frohweis and ceramic stoves from the Bern-based Frisching manufactory. These decorative elements reflect the wealth and refined taste of the merchant families who commissioned them.
The buildings now function as administrative offices for Basel-Stadt canton government and are accessible during standard business hours Monday through Friday. Keep in mind these are active government workplaces, so visitor access may vary depending on current operations.
Lukas Sarasin left behind meticulous records from the construction period that documented worker wages and material expenses. These rare archival accounts allow historians today to understand the economic conditions and building practices of that era.
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