Located in Bergedorf, a borough of Hamburg, Germany, the new Stuhlrohrquartier will transform a 4.65 ha industrial estate around Stuhlrohr Halle – a former tube chair factory – into a mixed-use neighbourhood with dwellings, commercial and amenity spaces. With a double-layer perimeter block, the Stuhlrohrquartier’s outer layer provides a closed front that protects the area from the streets and railroad traffic noise, while the inner layer takes on a sinuous and open shape. Staggered facades throughout and the winding layout of the inner blocks fragment the otherwise dominantly linear complex. Organised around common areas and private gardens, the buildings are designed to limit the impact of shading on neighbouring blocks and public spaces. With a mixture of different typologies, the complex aims for a high density, reaching a FSI of 2.2. To preserve the area’s green qualities, Mecanoo has designed a park in the heart of the complex. The spacious wedge-shaped park incorporates the existing tall trees and connects the promenade along the Schleusengraben canal with the communal courtyards and private gardens. Walking and cycling paths run through the park and connect a wide range of outdoor spaces, creating a lively neighbourhood. These open spaces with varying degrees of privacy can be flexibly used by residents. The central district square accommodates all age groups and offers play areas for the adjoining day-care centre. The inner courtyards between the outer and inner layer of the block are ideal for communal uses such as allotment gardens and provide safe and convenient play areas for children. The listed Stuhlrohr Halle will be refurbished into a mixed-use space to suit the prominent location on the promenade along the Schleusengraben canal. Cafes, restaurants and workplaces for local start-ups and freelancers will create a reference point for the district and the Bergedorf borough.
