The building owes its name to the small island of Lamu, which is located just a few hundred meters off the mainland of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Today, the Lamu House presents itself as an overnight accommodation, where regional history, African style of furnishing and modern comfort come together in a charming way.
In the past, the furnishings of the house consisted largely of furniture made directly on the island or on the Kenyan mainland.
What remains are a handmade cabinet and smaller furnishing elements such as cloakrooms, mirrors and curtain rods. In addition, the impressively designed and hand-carved entrance door still hints at the African influences. Doors of this kind are typical of the architecture in the area of the Indian Ocean. The copy in Auerstedt is decorated with organic patterns. Geometric forms and Koranic inscriptions are also common, referring to the Islamic tradition of the island of Lamu.
Long before it was used as a holiday home, the building was used as a community building in Auerstedt. The last community baker had to give up his job in 1965 due to illness. The annual Backhausfest is reminiscent of the craft tradition.