Hoheluft-West is not only the smallest, but also the most densely populated district in Hamburg. Its Wilhelminian-style buildings, which were largely spared the destruction of the war, its central location in the city and the lively, urban quality of the district also make it one of the most popular residential areas in Hamburg, especially for young people and many families.

The residential development by HS-Architekten proves that the densification desired in the wake of the housing shortage is still possible and can succeed. The office implemented this new building in the sheltered depths of a rear plot with the typical rows behind a street block on the busy Gärtnerstraße. On an elongated plot between two of these rows, there is now a long, three-storey building block that adjoins the existing building in four places. The five-storey head buildings in extension of the fire walls structure the volume.

A completely new, cheerful urban space is created in the middle of small-scale courtyard situations with differentiated passageways. These cleverly composed courtyard-like intermediate spaces create distance from the existing building and enhance it through the green areas in front with different planting. They have a very lively effect and create an exciting interplay of narrowness and expanse, courtyard and alley. The individual apartments are accessed on foot on the east side of the new building, with the position of the staircases responding naturally to the fire walls of the existing building. The open stairwells correspond atmospherically with the arcades and bridges and create a feeling of permeability and space. In addition, they connect the arcade access to the 1st and 2nd floors with generous, accessible and green roof areas. These roof areas provide access to the maisonette apartments, which are located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the head-end buildings.

The arrangement of the development on one side and the design of the floor plans guarantee quiet living with a view of the old trees to the west. Each of the apartments has its own private open space in the form of a terrace, balcony or loggia. A total of 29 rental apartments and an underground garage have been created on five levels. In terms of its spatial design, the building achieves a balance between maximum utilization of the plot and compatible integration of the new building into its surroundings.

www.hs-architekten.de

Photos:

Christian Spielmann
www.spielmann-foto.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 03|22)