Sprinkenhof GmbH developed the new Blankenese market community house based on a design by Bub Architekten, winners of the 2018 competition. Positioned at the intersection of church, park, and market square, this cubic structure employs two distinctly weighted peaks to engage its prominent setting. The primary emphasis addresses the market side, while a complementary volume rises toward the church, creating a dialogue across multiple facades. This sculptural composition fulfills the building's role as a representative civic hub while projecting presence from all vantage points. The market-facing elevation asserts itself as a confident landmark, yet the structure gracefully recedes beneath the park's canopy on its other sides, preserving sight lines between the market square and church. Copper cladding—applied to both façade and roof—amplifies the building's sculptural character while establishing a material conversation with the historic church. Deliberately darker in tone, the cube distinguishes itself from the colorful surrounding context, reinforcing its singular presence in the urban landscape.

Flexible folding metal shutters in copper create dual purpose: they shield from the sun while maintaining visual connections to the marketplace and surrounding activities, even when closed. Sunlight filters through, casting dynamic shadows across the floor. After dark, the shutters transform into luminous screens, creating an enchanting lantern-like glow in the urban landscape. Inside, white oiled oak parquet flooring in the shared spaces welcomes visitors with warmth and openness. Dark-stained walls and ceilings provide intimate comfort, contrasting beautifully with generous glass panels that open onto the market square and park. Within just 120 m², the building efficiently accommodates a café, meeting hall, administrative offices for the citizens' association and market management, and public facilities. After receiving approval and beginning detailed design in summer 2021, the project was completed on schedule in eleven months and handed over in December 2022. The café is set to open soon.

www.bub-architekten.de

Photography:

Alexandra Bub

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 02|23)