University Guest House Hamburg Construction project

The green area of Hamburg in which the Guest House of the University is to be built is characterised by a Gründerzeit villa architecture and a museum of ethnology (Museum der Völkerkunde) dedicated to the symbolic. The new construction is to merge with the existing buildings and form a new independent ensemble by referencing the typical architectural topics of the vicinity. At the same time, the new structure is to be a modern interpretation of the historical development and allow for some green spaces all around the building through its tall design. 

A building with flowing contours and a sculptural quality is created with the stepped structure by a playful integration of the themes of the neighbouring buildings, such as solitary positioning, repetition or staggering. The course of the eaves of the adjacent houses is respected and graduations to all sides are adapted to the particular context. The reddish colouration of the fair-faced concrete reflects the brick and clinker buildings in the area. While a homogeneous entity is created, the rounded openings and their varied repetition serve to make the structure hold its ground in the historical environment. 

The design utilises densified living extending upwards in order to open up the location to a great number of residents. The free-standing solitary structure with an emphasised three-dimensional facade has a considerable depth. Inside, apartments on each floor are grouped around a central circulation hall, which is extended outwards by means of a common room to provide access to daylight. Slight variations in the layouts are generated by the graduated volume, intended to promote cultural and social interaction of the inhabitants. Loggias and terraces permit a direct relation to the exterior.