In 2015, Berlin-based architects Kaden + Lager won the "Baakenhafen, Baufeld 89" competition with their vision for an eight-storey hybrid timber residence. The project is backed by a housing cooperative of 29 households—families, couples, and individuals of varying ages—united by a shared mission: to create affordable, high-quality homes built according to sustainable, ecological, and climate-conscious principles. Completed and occupied in 2022, the building stands as proof of their success.

Positioned on the western edge of the site, the building sits directly on the Elbe with sweeping views of the Elbphilharmonie. Its urban form opens toward the river, inviting light and air into the central courtyard. Every apartment faces both west and east—a design decision that maximizes natural light, ventilation, and views across the water. Each floor plan was tailored through participatory workshops to meet residents' individual needs. The building's robust timber-frame structure supports this flexibility; it permits extensive customization of layouts while maintaining cost certainty and the freedom to adapt or repurpose the building over its entire lifespan. Two stairwells, each serving four apartments per floor, provide circulation. Three continuous transverse walls articulate the building's length into four distinct sections. The structure itself is solid timber construction. The two-storey ground level facing the promenade is reinforced concrete—a strategic choice that protects against flooding. Fire walls and stairwells follow suit, providing both structural bracing and safe escape routes with practical efficiency. Every other building component—floors, walls, exterior facades, and balconies—is crafted from cross-laminated timber. The design prioritizes disassembly, specifies only certified wood, and eliminates harmful substances. The interplay of natural surfaces—warm wood grain, exposed concrete, and clean plaster—creates a distinctive, grounded interior atmosphere.

The ventilated curtain facade features light-toned, oversized ceramic panels, visually punctuated by staggered balconies and loggias across each floor and a thoughtful rhythm of two distinct window types. Floor-to-ceiling glazing floods interiors with daylight and frames the harbour landscape beyond. Above, the roof terrace serves as a shared community space and play area for residents. The remaining roof is planted—capturing rainwater, naturally cooling the building, and fostering biodiversity. The project earned the HafenCity Gold environmental certification, recognition of its comprehensive commitment to sustainability.

www.lagerschwertfeger.de

Photography Credits:

Fritz Brunier

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 01|23)