"colourful, lively, diverse: the architectural design for the neighborhood´s centre in Hamburg fascinates the jury" and we are looking forward to this new task in Hamburg.
Urban quality
The quality of the spaces in between is decisive for the quality of an urban environment. Therefore, our focus is on creating attractive and varied squares, paths and spatial sequences. The proposed ensemble gives the quarter a legible hierarchy with a spatially effective Berliner Platz and a pearl necklace of smaller squares and entrance areas in a versatile and varied architecture. A semi-public square with a neighborhood character is being built on the base. The new Berliner Platz will be a lively quarter that is linked to its neighbourhoods, offers no backs and offers a rich urban landscape. A new heart within the neighborhoods. No introverted square, but outward-facing, active ground floor edges strengthen the idea of the linking building block.
Concept
Projections and recesses along the base zone create a varied sequence of rooms with three overarching city squares. The start is made by the "Green Square" in the north-east, as a connection and embedding in the Hohenhorst green belt. In the south-east is the most important, the namesake, Berliner Platz as the interface to the SAGA high-rise and the Haus am See, as well as the Platz der Kulturen in the south-west as the intersection to the existing retail uses and public transport stops. The Berliner Platz will be a place for everyone, for shopping, for relaxation and as a leisure meeting place. The flexible open area allows for all kinds of uses, but also "seeing and being seen". The Square of Cultures takes on the role of the square "at the corner". A water feature creates a high quality of stay despite the small area and invites you to linger. The green square in the north-east is the quarter's oasis with a pleasant microclimate even on hot days. Each component of the ensemble is designed individually. The facades refer to the location via the brick. However, the color accents and the rich design variants offer a playful appearance. The specified apartment mix is implemented in a variety of ways through different building typologies.
The composition of the building creates exciting open spaces on the base. The holistic greening of these residential courtyards stands in exciting contrast to the urban character of the public spaces. Five individually designed residential courtyards will be developed. These are accentuated by slight differences in height and form an identity with the respective building. All gardens have quiet lounge areas, private and communal green spaces. There are also children's play areas for the residents in every courtyard. Public thoroughfares between the residential courtyards enable the property to be well connected across the base zone. On the roof of the library is the central play area with high-quality fixtures, such as a climbing sculpture for "playing above Berliner Platz". In this way, the element visible from the street integrates the roof surfaces into the public space and can be reached barrier-free via the library elevator. Differences in height are attractively designed with stairs and green walls. The diverse greenery not only serves the well-being of its users, but also follows the microclimatic necessities to bind CO2 and reduce the heat island effect of the urban space. The symbiosis of city, people and nature can succeed here.