A New Office Building in HafenCity
The urban context of the project is shaped by its careful integration into the existing block structure of Hamburg’s HafenCity, responding to spatial organization and local architectural character. Located between Shanghaiallee and Koreastraße, the building completes the perimeter block with a clear and coherent volume that aligns with neighbouring structures while allowing key adjacencies such as the nearby auto museum. The use of red brick reinforces the continuity of the district’s material identity, while the classical façade composition of the base, middle, and top reflects the proportions and rhythm of the surrounding historic buildings. At the same time, the design introduces a semi-public transition zone through an arcade, mediating between the street and the interior. This creates a gradual shift from public urban space to more private areas, further enriched by a central green courtyard that establishes a calm inner environment in visual and spatial dialogue with the city. Architecturally, the building is conceived as a U-shaped volume organized around this inner courtyard, combining functional flexibility with environmental performance. The façade balances solidity and transparency through a composition of brick piers and large smooth openings, creating depth while maximizing daylight and enabling natural ventilation. Refined setbacks and terraces respond to neighbouring rooflines and improve light perception into the courtyard, while also integrating planted areas that enhance the building’s ecological quality. Internally, the layout is based on an efficient structural grid that allows adaptable office configurations and clear circulation. The courtyard functions work as a bioclimatic buffer, supporting passive climate strategies such as natural ventilation and shading.
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