Due to their U-shaped configuration, the housingblocks have a central courtyard consisting of individualterraces bordering the residences, and a central greenspace landscaped according to the residents’ preferences.

The composition of the façades changes depending ontheir placement, as well as the color of the joineries,distinguishing one from each other. The absence ofenclosures and a similar treatment for the yards facing thestreet allows them to blend into the landscaped publicspaces, which thereby creates the sensation of a large, continuous pathway. Each housing block has 6-10 residences, of two kinds: “row-house” and “multi-level” units. Workspaces havebeen integrated into the housing at the residents’ request; there are offices, graphic design studios, therapy rooms,and so forth. Other spatial elements, such as a hopperbetween the ground and first floors, the positioning ofthe stairwell, the entry into the kitchen, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms were chosen by the residents.

In conclusion, the variations in the constructions, theprograms, surfaces, and the material finishing reveal thepotential of the typology that was created, and they bearwitness to its wealth. The neighborhood has remainedvery consistent in terms of its architectural vocabulary, and yet, each residence is unique.

Client: IBA Hambourg - Neue Hamburger Terrassen GmBH / Cost: € 6.2M excl. VAT/ Surface: 4260 m² / Schedule: 2008 – 2013 / Team: Ingenieurbüro Scheyer (Structure), RMP Stephan Lenzen (Landscape)