Nestled in Barmbek-Nord between Starstraße, Drosselstraße, Wachtelstraße, and Meisenstraße lies the charming "Bird Quarter." Along Steilshooper Straße at its center stand elegant two-storey townhouses dating from the early 20th century. These narrow plots—typically just seven meters wide—feature intimate front gardens and peaceful rear courtyards. Most are occupied by single households, though interspersed among them are multi-storey residential buildings erected during Hamburg's post-war reconstruction.

As part of thoughtful urban densification in this sought-after neighborhood, the architectural firm Schleicher Weiss Assozierte designed this compact townhouse to serve a dual purpose: providing homes for seven families while respecting the diverse character of the street's traditional architecture. The building's bay window, carefully composed window rhythm, steeply pitched roof with offset dormer, and refined material palette create the appearance of a classic single-family townhouse rather than a multi-unit residence. A space-efficient central stairwell distributes access throughout. Each floor accommodates two compact two-room apartments—approximately 35 m² each—with balconies or terraces and through-floor layouts. The objective was clear: deliver genuinely livable smaller homes without sacrificing spatial quality. Through its efficient footprint and heat pump technology, the building demonstrates how contemporary densification can be achieved sustainably—adding homes without consuming additional land in an already-developed urban setting.

www.swre.eu

Photography Credits:

Kevin Winiker
www.photostudio-ottensen.com

(Featured in CUBE Hamburg 04|23)