A lively and young residential quarter is being developed in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, following on from the development of this district through the International Building Exhibition. Following the principles of Universal Design - sustainable, simple, flexible, inclusive - an attractive residential address is to be created that complements the neighboring structures to form an integrative ensemble.
As part of this ensemble, which includes two other building sites, the building with its angled shape refers to each of the opposite buildings. The comb-like structure, which cantilevers over the pedestrian walkway on the upper floors, continues the urbanistic figure of the neighboring new building of the Authority for Urban Development and the Environment - also by Sauerbruch Hutton - with its individual houses cantilevering in a wave form over the public walkway. Within the building ensemble, two outdoor spaces are created, each with its own character: to the west, an outdoor area along the canal characterized by green and water areas; to the east, a 'neighborhood square' with a paved surface. The elevation of the rear parts of the building creates a direct line of sight and an open spatial transition to the northern area of the site.
The distribution of functions - community and public uses on the first floor, residential on the upper floors - is clearly discernible in the construction method and materiality. Thus, the first floor and core areas are built in conventional reinforced concrete construction. This remains readable to the outside through the double-shell construction with an outer exposed concrete shell in the facade. The two-story common areas under the cantilevers are fully glazed. The micro-apartments on the 5 and 6 upper floors, respectively, are built in modular construction as a wooden structure: Around 380 modules or residential units are arranged on a reinforced concrete table between three reinforced concrete stairwells. The modules are clad on the outside with a rear-ventilated shell of natural larch wood lathing, which is composed of prefabricated elements.