Like a Small Town
The office building fosters active interaction and collaboration.
Flanked by water on three sides and anchored by the expansive Amerigo Vespucci Square, the Elbbrücken district marks the eastern gateway to HafenCity—a vibrant hub for living, working, and recreation. Designed by Berlin-based architecture firm Henn, the Edge HafenCity office building stands alongside its "sister structure," Edge Elbside, to frame the district's central plaza at the head of Baakenhafen. This energy-conscious design actively fosters interaction and collaboration, drawing together not only those who work within its walls but also welcoming neighbors and visiting guests.
The structure comprises two distinct volumes: a seven-story cubic base and a corner tower rising nearly 60 meters across 16 floors. Its modular square grid allows for flexible subdivision into discrete office spaces. Double-height arcades and a striking eight-meter cantilever accent the main entrance facing Amerigo Vespucci Square. The building's social core is its light-filled atrium with a glass roof—a space open to the public and beyond. A sculptural staircase spirals through the soaring void, linking every floor and creating cascading terraced landing areas that echo the plaza's own steps and terraces. In this way, the architecture reads as a vertical extension of the public realm—a small city in miniature, where chance encounters, collaboration, breaks, and respite are built into the program. Ground-level hospitality and conference spaces give way to office floors above, each offering distinct zones for focused work and collaborative exchange. Shared amenities flow throughout—all tenant spaces enjoy access to the lush planted roof terrace, a verdant retreat above the urban fabric.
Munich-based Studio Frick shaped the interiors to prioritize natural daylight, organic materials, abundant greenery, and seamless digital connectivity—creating spaces as conducive to genuine conversation as they are to focused work. The building's bold red façade echoes the urban language of eastern HafenCity, while its open, inclusive character radiates outward into the neighborhood. All roof surfaces function as retention systems and are extensively planted; the tower crown is crowned with photovoltaic panels. Through its forward-thinking approach to workplace design, Edge HafenCity catalyzes collaboration and innovation while deepening the social bonds that define the Elbbrücken community.
Photography:
Simon Menges
www.simonmenges.com
(Published in CUBE Hamburg 03|25)
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