Cheerful Neighbourhood

New construction of a multi-family house using hybrid timber construction methods

The HeiNa (= Heitere Nachbarschaft, meaning Cheerful Neighbourhood) collaborative timber construction project is creating a visionary residential building in the northern part of the Wilhelmsburger Rathausviertel district. As part of the IBA Hamburg concept process, the plot was awarded to a building group.

The staggered-floor corner building is part of a perimeter block development. The design focuses on combining sustainable construction with neighbourly coexistence. Shared infrastructure, such as communal rooms and open spaces, forms an integral part of the architectural concept. Particular focus is given to bicycles as a central element of everyday mobility. The building’s bicycle repair shop is also open to the neighbourhood.

Sixteen apartments, ranging from two to four rooms, are planned for the upper floors. Flexibly connectable rooms allow variable sizes and floor plans. The hybrid timber construction uses cross-laminated timber and timber frame construction, with visible timber elements in the interior ensuring a warm and healthy indoor climate.

The facade’s distinctive sculptural division is created by constrictions at the building entrances, rounded corners, loggias and balconies. It is planned to use vertical wooden formwork and to green the ground floor area Different window formats will ensure a varied façade design and diverse views.

Intensively greened areas with space for urban gardening and terraces are planned on the communal roof. The technical building equipment takes a low-tech approach, incorporating solar power generation in part of the roof area.

To create a coherent, high-quality open space concept, the outdoor facilities are being developed alongside the neighbouring projects.

The HeiNa project promotes open, resource-efficient and solidarity-based living in an urban context.