A private client commissioned Sieckmann Walther Architects to design a home in western Hamburg where she could live while simultaneously accommodating a second, more compact residential unit – all while maintaining complete privacy for both households. The central challenge: meeting these demands without sacrificing spatial quality, natural light, or the functionality of either residence.

The solution lies in a carefully orchestrated interplay of both apartments within a cubic form, clad in soft grey water-struck brick. Each unit functions as a complete maisonette spanning multiple floors—essentially a self-contained home with its own internal staircase and elevator. Despite their different sizes, both maisonettes were meticulously planned with clear floor plans and open, flowing spaces. Thoughtful placement and orientation—both within the building and on the property—preserve quality living and privacy throughout. The main apartment's entrance sits on the right side, with a pivot door creating an immediate sense of spaciousness. The smaller unit enters from the left, with its own dedicated entrance, stairs, lift, and cloakroom—ensuring completely separate circulation. The ground floor belongs almost entirely to the main residence, with the garden equally defined by this zone. A long concrete wall reinforces this clear separation. The living, dining, and kitchen areas sweep across nearly the entire ground floor, with gentle height variations and slatted elements creating zones without disrupting the flow. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the terrace and garden.

The middle floor is divided, housing the bedrooms and baths for both units—the main residence oriented toward the garden, the smaller unit overlooking the lush greenery of neighboring properties. The penthouse level hosts the smaller unit's open-plan living, dining, and kitchen, positioned between two roof terraces. A key design gesture: the main unit's staircase runs nearly vertically through the center of the home, unifying all floors. Skylights flood the stairwell with natural light from roof to ground level, while the light shaft itself becomes a defining spatial element on the top floor.

www.sieckmannwalther.de

Living space: 400 square metres
Plot size: 1,160 square metres
Construction period: January 2020 to April 2021
Construction method: Solid masonry
Energy standard: Efficiency House 40

Photography Credits:

Frederike Heim
www.frederikeheim.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 01|23)