On the corner of Schulterblatt and Amandastraße in the vibrant Schanzenviertel, LRW Architects and Urban Planners created a mixed-use residential development following the demolition of an aging administrative building. The complex comprises 113 owner-occupied apartments and 52 student units, distinguished by its dense urban character and exceptional recreational amenities. Along Schulterblatt, five storeys seamlessly connect with neighbouring structures, while a striking seven-storey corner building on Amandastraße—complete with a stepped crown—establishes the quarter's distinctive architectural identity. The building placement respectfully echoes the existing urban fabric. To the north, overlooking the adjacent parkland, a three-storey block with stepped roofline and a standalone five-storey structure frame a generous inner courtyard. The residential units span from cosy two-room layouts to spacious four-room configurations, with select apartments offering one or two balconies or loggias. The courtyard building connects directly to Schulterblatt via a convenient passage. Street-facing entrances serve the Schulterblatt and Amandastraße buildings, with barrier-free stairwell access to the inner courtyard throughout. The underground garage entrance sits discreetly at the property's edge on Amandastraße, while the student residence entrance is positioned adjacent to the courtyard passage.

The neighbourhood's distinctive character invited a bold approach to materiality. Each building's individual façade treatment—rich in detailing—gives the vibrant, mixed-use quarter its own compelling identity. Thoughtfully referencing the material language and forms of 1960s modernism, the design integrates harmoniously with the surrounding post-war urban fabric. The buildings showcase carefully differentiated colour palettes, material treatments, and loggia expressions: balustrades in subtly printed glass and gleaming perforated metalwork in gold-toned finishes create visual rhythm. The corner at Amandastraße and Schulterblatt makes a bold statement with dark clinker brick and shimmering glass balustrades that catch the light. The student residence appears in soft green plaster with a striking base of deep-green, glossy ceramic tiles. The courtyard facades facing inward present a refined composition of clinker brick slips alternating with textured plaster, unified by a carefully orchestrated colour scheme. The park-facing elevation—with its pale brick slips, window openings, and textured plaster accents—echoes the courtyard rhythms through horizontal bonded banding, creating visual coherence across the ensemble.

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Photography Credits:

Ulrich Hoppe

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 02|23)