Munich-based Zillerplus Architects and Urban Planners won the competition to design housing for 16 families, creating a project that masterfully balances urban density with verdant living. Their concept for Baakenallee 76 in eastern HafenCity strengthens community bonds through thoughtful spatial design. Floor-to-ceiling windows punctuate the Heimatmole's street-facing façade at Warftplatz, while strategic recesses soften the building's eight-story profile. The façade's signature feature is a shimmering envelope of small light-grey glass mosaic tiles that dance with reflected light. On the southwestern side, staggered zigzag balconies open generously toward the shared waterfront garden along the Norderelbe. Two residences occupy each floor, clustered around a central circulation core and individually tailored to each family's preferences. With floor plans ranging from 100 to 110 m², the layout strategically positions more public spaces toward the garden and private retreats toward the street. Rather than rigid functional separation, each space remains flexible, allowing families to adapt as needs evolve. Growing families can expand into "flex rooms" positioned at each level's central lift core.

A lush roof terrace offers residents a shared retreat with panoramic views across HafenCity. The Heimatclub—another communal asset—occupies a double-height space spanning from basement to ground level, ideal for celebrations, lectures, and gatherings. The verdant façade on the garden side features both climbing plants and ground-cover vegetation, nourished by rainwater collected in an integrated cistern. Trellises weave through the zigzag balconies from ground to eighth floor, gradually forming a living vertical garden that provides shading and wind protection while fostering community interaction. These sheltered outdoor zones effectively extend the living spaces, functioning as additional "green rooms." The distinctive zigzag design ensures every garden-facing room enjoys views toward the Norderelbe. The "Heimatmole" operates with heat exchangers and generates renewable energy through rooftop photovoltaics. As a KfW 55 efficiency building, it earned HafenCity's Platinum Environmental Label and took first prize in the 2025 Callwey Awards for Residential Buildings.

www.zillerplus.de

Photos:
Florian Holzherr
www.florian-holzherr.com

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 04|25)