New construction of an office building with retail
The new office and commercial building was constructed on the plot adjoining the listed building of the Alte Post (The Old Post Office), at the lively Bleichenfleet in the centre of Hamburg. The new construction fills the former gap of 80 meters depth and only 14 meters width merging perfectly with the surrounding. The building skillfully connects both neighbours, The Old Post Office and Galleria Hamburg, which recently also has been put under the preservation order. Taking into account their different eaves heights it carries them on them on its own façade and creates an interesting interplay of levels. Thus the building’s character becomes lively and outstanding, at the same time the streetscape remains harmonious.
Besides the eaves height the façades of the new office absorb the reach architectural language of the surrounding with its traditional brick buildings. Floor to ceiling windows with frames of anodized aluminum give a modest structure to the surfaces. The upper floors are underlined through light glass parapets which remind of french windows. The retail areas of the new construction are connected with these of the existing buildings all the way through the ground and first floor as well as to both sides of the street. From the second floor upwards there are small offices as well as office zones which can be connected if needed. An inner courtyard in the central part of the building ensures an appropriate exposure to light for the offices.
On the one hand, the new building was to fit into the overall context of the shopping mile and mediate between the neighbouring buildings of different heights. On the other hand, it was to form another important urban building block in Hamburg's inner city with its striking design.
For the façade, clinker was chosen as a traditional building material typical for Hamburg, which also characterizes the image of the street Große Bleichen. When selecting the clinker, the client and planner opted for the "D34" from Petersen Tegl in the Danish standard format DNF 228 x 108 x 54mm. The Danish company mainly processes clay from the immediate vicinity of the brickworks. The techniques used to produce the water-coated coal-fired bricks reflect the processing methods from the time when they were still handmade. Firing the bricks with charcoal creates an individual play of colours in light and dark nuances. No stone looks like another, which makes the facades lively. The way of manufacturing gives the clay an optimal texture with capillaries and pores. Penetrating water that freezes can expand without destroying the stone. There is no risk of frost damage due to water absorption.
