Workspaces Designed for Innovation
Modern Office Design Meets Historic Architecture
Standing prominently at the corner of Alter Wall and Rathausmarkt, this building was inaugurated in 1919 as Hamburg's headquarters for the Reichsbank—and built to impress. Its neoclassical shell limestone façade, ornate architectural detailing, and an octagonal atrium soaring through all five stories make it an iconic anchor of the building ensemble that lines Alter Wall, facing the town hall.
As part of the area's ongoing revitalization, office space was created on the upper floors of this historic landmark, accessed via Alter Wall. Munich-based CSMM—a specialist in office properties and contemporary work environments—has created an innovative office concept for Hamburg's office of DLA Piper, the global law firm, spanning 4,500 m². The client sought a design that would foster collaboration and dynamic work while dissolving the traditional divide between open-plan and private offices. The building's Wilhelmine rigor—with its clear, symmetrical floor plans—proved an ideal partner for this vision. The main challenge lay in the building's relatively modest window openings by modern standards. Working in tandem, CSMM and DLA Piper translated the building's historical language into a contemporary setting, using extensive glazing with clean geometric forms throughout the office spaces. This abundance of glass floods every room with natural light, enables visual connectivity, and creates an open, airy feel—while maintaining the confidentiality essential to legal practice.
Each floor centers on the octagonal atrium, with open-plan work areas surrounding it punctuated by cozy "islands" of sofas and seating. The octagon motif has been woven throughout the design vocabulary—from table shapes in the staff lounge to wallpaper patterns in work zones to ceiling fixtures in the meeting room. The roof terrace has become an instant favorite, offering sweeping views across the Alster and toward the town hall.
The project has earned multiple accolades, including the German Design Award 2020, and was further recognized by the German Design Council in the Interior category of the Iconic Awards 2020: Innovative Architecture.
Photography Credits:
Gleb Polovnykov
(Published in CUBE Hamburg 04|20)
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