PROJECTS / OVAL AM KAISERKAI
Contrast Between Industrial Structures and the Historic Brick Warehouses
This eleven-story residential tower, known as the "Oval," is located on the northern bank of the Kaiserkai in Hamburg's new "HafenCity" district. Its prominent position offers residents stunning views of downtown Hamburg, the Speicherstadt, the Elbe River, and the harbor.
The tower has an elliptical floor plan, with the ground floor elevated five meters above street level on intricately detailed, oval-shaped concrete columns. The oval shape was chosen after analyzing the site-specific wind, sound, and view conditions. The wave-like design of the façade and balconies is a response to these factors, optimizing views, wind resistance, and sunlight exposure. All 27 units feature balconies facing the water, with façades composed of glass and perforated panels. Each floor accommodates up to three apartments, ranging from 60 to 125 square meters. The living rooms on the west side are open with glass façades, while the east-facing bedrooms have more enclosed façades. The modular design of the façade also facilitates future recycling. Thanks to the building's slender floor plate, daylight floods the interiors from all directions, and combined with solar collectors, this helps to reduce energy consumption.
The "Oval" enhances the contrast between industrial structures, the historic brick warehouses of the Speicherstadt, and the modern buildings surrounding the water. Towering 40 meters above its surroundings, the "Oval" serves as a landmark at the end of a sightline from downtown Hamburg to the new district. It also anchors the central "Vasco da Gama" Plaza at its base. A grand staircase leads down to the marina's landing stages in the "museum harbor," where historical boats and ships are displayed.
Data
Construction Start 2006
Completion 2009
Client GbR d.quai c/o imetas property services
GFA 5.450 m²
Credits
Structural Engineering
Wetzel & von Seht
Facade Consultant
Gödde Architekt
Building Services
Pinck Ingenieure Consulting
Soils Investigation
IGB Ingenieurgesellschaft
Surveying
Hanack & Partner
Building Services
DS-Plan
Fire Protection
IBF Ingenieurbüro
Wind Investigation
Institut für Industrieaerodynamik IFI
Lighting Artificial
Tropp Lighting Design
Transportation Systems
Hundt
Project Management
Möser Projekt
Awards
2010
BDA Preis Hamburg, 2nd Prize
2009
BEX – The Building Exchange
2008
AIV Hamburg, Building of the Year