shigeru ban: watertowers hafencity, hamburg

‘watertowers hafencity’ by shigeru ban, hamburgimage © shigeru ban

shigeru ban has won the competition to design six sustainable residential towers in baakenhafen harbor, in the eastern quarter of hamburg. the site of the ‘watertowers hafencity’ is a 1.5 hectare leisure island which has 3,000 sqm of recreational space, a playhouse, community centre, as well as vast green areas, and is projected to offer 8,000 homes and 5,000 jobs. conceived with the idea of ‘being on water’,the six paired living and leisure buildings will range in height from eight to twelve storeys and will be constructed from a composition of concrete, wood and steel–which will also form the identity of the architecture as the materials themselves will used extensively in the façades. light bar structures used on the ground floor areas  will tie the complexes to the promenade which runs approximately 1km along the elbe river, where commerical units such as bars and restaurants will be located.

view of amenities which include commercial spaces such as bars and restaurantsimage © shigeru ban

 exterior view of the residencesimage © shigeru ban

double height view of a unit’s salonimage © shigeru ban

model of double height salonimage © shigeru ban