Re-activation in 3 stages (a project for hamburg)

Re-activation in three stages (a project for Hamburg)

TU Delft Faculty of Architecture AR0067 Architecture & Urban Design (2012-2013 Q4) tutors: Roberto Cavallo, Conrad Kickert

Athina Rizopoulou

Re-activation in three stages (a project for Hamburg)

contents

introduction

introduction the context the site concept

.02 .03 .04 .06

phase 1 phase 2 phase 3 reflection

.07 .10 .14 .20

appendix

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The city of Hamburg, with a population of 1.8 million people, is the second largest city in Germany, the second larger port in Europe and a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. It was ranked 17th in the world for livability in 2012,and in 2010, the city ranked 10th in the world. The center of Hamburg, enclosed in the green belt, is characterized by high density, both in terms of built environment and activity.

In 2003, at the southern part of the city (HafenCity), started the largest rebuilding project in Europe in scope of landmass (approximately 2,2 km²). HafenCity is a project of city-planning where the old port warehouses of Hamburg are being replaced with offices, hotels, shops, official buildings, and residential areas. When completely developed, it will be home to about 12,000 people and the workplace of 40,000 people mostly in office complexes. The prospect for completion is not very clear, but will probably be around 2020-2030.

There are, however, still spots where Hamburg’s urban fabric is interrupted. These spots, seem to have been forgotten during this process of urbanization. This project, takes place in one of them. Located on the connection between Hauptbahnhof and the Hafencity, the area is characterized by vacancy, abandoned or under-used buildings and large open spaces used as parking.

The intention was to develop a project, divided in phases, that would gradually re-activate the spot and put it again in Hamburg’s map.

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the context

The area where this project takes place is located south-east of the city center, on one of the two lines connecting the Hauptbahnhof and the HafenCity. Speting the HafenCity University to the city center.

Additionally, it is located at the end of a “cultural promenade�starting from the Hamburg Kunsthalle and currently ending at the Deichtorhallen, where the Photography museum and the HighFlyer baloon are located.

Hamburg Kunsthalle

Hauptbahnhof

Rathaus

Kunsthaus HighFlyer Fesselballon

Deichtorhallen

Completed HafenCity Development

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tio rven

Future HafenCity Development

Future HafenCity University In Progress HafenCity Development

Hamburg city center

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the site

A closer look on the site and its borders, reveals that it has the form of a “pocket�.

Blocked both visually and functionally from the northern urban area by the railway depot and with a large area of wholesale stores on its east, its only connection to the rest of the city, is through the Deichtorplatz, on its west.

Deichtorplatz

Hamburg Kunsthalle

The current activity on the site are the fruit trade offices occupying part of the large Fruchthof building, and the rather roughly constructed warehouses, at the lower part. Despite its privileged location, the site is rather underused and most of its open space is occupied now by cars.

Hauptbahnhof

Rathaus

Train Depot

Fruchthof Kunsthaus HighFlyer Fesselballon

Deichtorhallen

Completed HafenCity Development

Future HafenCity Development

Warehouses Future HafenCity University In Progress HafenCity Development

Wholesale zone

Intervention area .04

current situation

aerial views

Fruchthof facade

Waterfront

.05

Warehouses

concept

The general idea of this project is to create an “urban pocket�, well-connected to its adjacent sites but also active on its own.

Specifically, the intervention aims to: 1. introduce a programmatic and structural continuity between Deichtorplatz and the site

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2. introduce a proper ending to the waterfront promenade.

3. form an active waterfront, that will contribute to the future identity of the area 4. connect the Fruchthof building to its surroundings 5. propose a program that will replace the warehouses and will be more suitable for the spot, in an attempt to bring to the area more users permanent and temporary

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blind zone

active zone .07

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Fruchthof building facade

PROBLEM STATEMENT The Fruchthof building is an iconic building not only for the intervention site but for the adjacent sites as well.

Designed by Hamburg’s construction director, Fritz Schumacher in 1911, an imposing building, whose spaces and corridors infused with the Hanseatic entrepreneurial spirit, soon became home for numerous fruit dealers.

However, today, the building looks rather forgotten.

Firstly because of its strict brick structure and secondly because of the lack of any activity in the waterfront in front of it, the Fruchthof building doesn’t bring out its architectural value.

Fruchthof view from HafenCity

pictures from the market taking place in front of Fruchthof, in early 1920s. source: www.hamburg-bildarchiv.de

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

phase 1

Structurally, as shown below, the building is horizontally devided in two zones. The upper zone, transparent and vivid due to the activity behind the windows shaping it and the lower zone, opaque and blind. Vertically, the structure follows a clear grid, differentiating only to establish the two entrances.

So the question is; how can such a building be transformed, in order to get re-attached to its surroundings and interesting at the eye-level?

current situation

PROPOSED INTERVENTION The intervention transforms the former blind facade to a repousse surface for informal exhibitions.

Wooden palettes are posed upon the brick wall and cover the alcoves formed at the ground level by the structural grid of the building. The palettes, are used as a canvas for posters, stickers and graffiti. In some cases, a metallic frame is attached to them where sculptures or special exhibits can be placed.

Anyone can use this wall, that becomes now an informal archive of urban art.

At the same time, the pavement is widened and the parking changes from vertical to the facade, to parallel, in order to reduce the distance between the pavement and the waterfront.

proposed intervention

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The idea is to use cheap and common materials for the whole phase 1. The proposed materials, are wooden palettes (EUR2 1200x1000mm), metallic beams and metallic grid. The grid is screwed on the beams which are also screwed on the palettes.

The proposed palette dimension is such so 3x5 palettes can fill the alcove, with minor gaps between them (3700x5200mm).

Whenever needed, the palettes can be replaced by new ones.

proposed materials

proposed structure

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phase 2

PROBLEM STATEMENT The waterfront zone in front of Fruchthof building today, is mainly occupied by cars. There is no connection to the waterfront of Deichtorplatz. Also, a barrier along the waterfront, prevents the access from the waterfront zone to the promenade by the water.

Finally, the zone is today rather unattractive. The fact that is “by-the-water” is not enough to attract visitors and users, as Hamburg has many by-the-water zones, much more attractive and well-connected.

the Waterfront zone today

The question rising here is: what type of activity could attract visitors and tourists, without bringing huge changes to the existing context of the area?

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

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2. introduce a new activity in the area that will not only attract users but also form its future character. .10 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

2. introduce a connection both visual and structural between the Fruchthof building and the waterfront.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

1. establish the promenade connecting the area to Deichtorplatz. Improve the promenade by the water.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

concept

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

GENERAL PLAN The second phase of the project, is aiming for the re-activation of the waterfront promenade. The zone, with some additions, becomes a unity, active on its own but equally attractive to the rest of Hamburg, both residents and visitors.

The main part of the waterfront is re-designed in three zones, in order to provide the necessary infrastructure for an open-air market. The central zone holds a sequence of light canopy-structures where a market can take place. The two side zones, are the two corridors along which the market is organized. The market can be weekly but in special occasions the area may be occupied for longer.

The market’s canopies are the extension of the wall structure described in phase 1. Also, pedestrian crossings are located in front of the two Fruchthof’s entrances. In that way, the market seems to be following the building’s facade grid. The waterfront zone seems to be the building’s extension, in a way.

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The market is divided in three smaller units (as Fruchthof’s facade) and between them, small sitting areas are organized.

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Also, the barrier between the market zone and the waterfront is removed so the access to the water is easier. The by-the-water promenade is enriched with timber decks that offer a view towards the opposite location (HafenCity).

Finally, following the template of the canopies, small green areas are introduced along the zone.

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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

THE MARKET As mentioned earlier, the waterfront market is organized in three “isles” formed by the canopies.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

All three isles, during the market, are organized in the same way; the stalls are set on the periphery and trucks/vans are parked in the center. There is also the possibility to add more tables and seats in the areas where the permanent wooden benches are set. The decision not to have more permanent seats at the area gives to the zone a more flexible character. Additionally, the supplementary furniture is only necessary when the market is taking place, so when not used, they would produce a feeling of emptiness.

For the waterfront’s floor, gravel concrete is used, which, for the by-the-water promenade is colored.

However, for the floor under the canopies (the vertical stripes forming the isles), a metallic grid is used, while the ground level is lower by 40cm. This gesture, is “locating” the market on the waterfront zone but also, facilitates the cleaning of the area, when the market is over.

trucks/vans stalls

by-the-water promenade 0

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5

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section

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THE CANOPY SYSTEM The canopies designed for the market are a light structure of six timber beams. Their position is such in order to divide each stripe in three parts; the inside part that functions as parking and the outside parts where the market stalls are to be put.

The canopy’s height is 4,5 meters, as it is aligned to Fruchthof’s first floor.

The canopy is completed by a thick and waterproof fabric that can be though easily removed and replaced (banners in case of a festival or a special occasion such as book fair etc. or metallic grid in case of sever winter conditions).

Finally, under the canopy, there are electricity sockets, in order to facilitate the market or any other organized activity taking place in the zone.

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phase 3

The warehouses are particularly voluminous structures, constructed roughly by brick, with no architectural value. Instead, they block the area, setting an unexpected ending to the waterfront promenade.

This ending comes not only as a result of their unattractive structure but also of their function. The warehouses as used today, is not a public area (actually they form a clearly restricted zone), attracts no visitors or users to the area. Considering that there is a large area of wholesale and warehouses on the southern part of the site, moving the warehouses there and opening up the space for a new function, seems rational.

Present condition-waterfront side

Present condition-waterfront side

PROBLEM STATEMENT The southern part of the intervention area is a lot of 1,10 Ha, currently occupied by three large warehouses, used as a garage for large vehicles and commodities.

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OVERALL PLAN The third phase of the project introduces a brand new function to the area. A short research on student housing in Hamburg (presented in the appendix), there is a particularly high demand for student housing in the city of Hamburg. This area, due to its proximity to the HafenCity university, the city center and the Hauptbahnhof, is considered ideal for a complex of student housing. So, the third phase of the project, which in schedule coincides with the completion of the university, proposes the replacement of the warehouses at the southern part of the area with a complex of student housing and co-working rooms.

As the lot is a lot larger than the average, it is divided in two partsm separated by a green corridor. The main guidlines during the design process, as well as the exact program are described right next.

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DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE STUDENT HOUSING COMPLEX

1. The lot is divided in two parts. The northern part is occupied by a building of co-working spaces for students and young professionals. The southern part is where student housing is located.

2. Housing is as possible drawn away from the railway depot in order to avoid both the noise caused by the trains’ activity but also the unpleasant view of railways and trains.

3. In order to encourage social interaction among the users of each building, small yards are formed. in the case of co-working spaces, it is an open square, connected to the waterfront while for the student housing, they are enclosed internal yards, for more privacy among students.

4. The “inwards” character of student housing block is moderated by two diagonal crossings which allow the traversing from the one side of the block to the other.

5. The canal on the south of the student housing block, is evaluated as of high quality. Open areas are shaped between the building and the canal to encourage interaction between the students and the adjacent green area.

6. Entrances to the co-working spaces building are located on all four of its sides. The student housing, however, is accessible only through the vertical volumes on the front and the back side. .16

STUDENT HOUSING -ground floorOverall, the student housing, is a building shaped by the repetition of a u-shaped unit. Each of these units is formed by three units, two parralel concrete blocks that host the student rooms and another one, vertical to them, which hosts only shared spaces.

Regarding the ground floor, the entrances are located at the front and at the back side of the lot. Between the entrances, there are spaces for bike stalling, each of which can host up to 215 bikes.

The rest of the ground floor space is used for sports facilities, addressed to the tenants of the complex.

This is the reason why they are only accessible only from the main entrance of the building, which is as well used to access the upper floors. fitness club

In detail, the sports facilities provided are: -swimming pool (25mx12m) + 92m2 wet/dry changing rooms

bike stalls

-3 squash courts+table tennis space + 92m2 wet/dry changing rooms -2 fitness clubs (640m2 each) + 92m2 wet/dry changing rooms

swimming pool

bike stalls fitness club

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25

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squash/table tennis

STUDENT HOUSING -upper floorThe student housing building described here, is a 4-storey building. Aside from the ground floor, which was described on the previous page, the three upper floors are identical and follow the plan presented here.

Despite the fact that the building looks like one compact unit, the idea is to have a jointed structure. Here, this is achieved by the repetition of a 18-rooms module.

Four of these modules are combined and form a plan of 72 rooms. The complex can host 216 students and each room is of 21m²+4,5m² of terrace.

Also, each floor offers various common spaces to the students, both in size (125m², 140m², 240 m²) and quality (open/closed).

In the plan, with yellow are marked the rooms-zones.

With red are marked the vertical movements, while with purple are marked tha common areas. For open spaces dashed line is used and for closed spaces, the line is continuous.

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STUDENT HOUSING -sectionsSTUDENT HOUSING -sectionsa a a a

b b

b

scale 1:500

b

scale 1:250

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reflection This project was conducted for the studio Architecture and Urban Design, in June 2013.

During the process, the recurring idea was to constanly zoom in-zoom out in order to reach and design an idea that would answer questions not only in the architectural scale but also in the urban one, the scale of the city. The analysis started at the scale of Hamburg and gradually ended up in small pockets like the one presented here.

This particular project, was shaped after questioning needs and demands of the wider area of Hamburg’s city center. The first priority was to formulate a jointed idea that would gradually re-form a forgotten area, while answering some of the problems that Hamburg has today.

Finally, the idea of economic feasibility was one of the key parameters through the whole process, as each phase is “paving the way” for the next one. The first phase, puts the area again in the map. With a very low budget, the new wall, becomes a hip area, attractive to younger ages and artists. This dynamic is preparing the ground for the market and the re-structured waterfront. The final stage, the student housing complex, completes the new identity of the area, brings permanent users both for the market and the waterfront zone and without any doubt, is stabilizing the location in Hamburg’s mental map.

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appendix

overall plan

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city center

appendix

research on student accomodation in Hamburg, today

athina.rizopoulou@gmail.com 6/2013, TU Delft