German architectural firm J. Mayer H., have completed the Steckelhörn 11 building in Hamburg.  The building stands where an old warehouse which was used as a storage facility was sited, with two historic buildings on either side. While designed to be part of its environment, the building also stands as a landmark when viewed from the Speicherstadt, a storehouse city built in 1885-88, or Hafen City, which is just a few minutes walk from the city center.  (More information after the jump!)

The building stands where an old warehouse which was used as a storage facility was sited, with two historic buildings on either side. While designed to be part of its environment, the building also stands as a landmark when viewed from the Speicherstadt, a storehouse city built in 1885-88, or Hafen City, which is just a few minutes walk from the city center.

The outside appearance is constructed of glass, aluminium and ceramic, which was used as a contrast to the more traditional brick buildings in the centre of Hamburg. It was also a more flexible material to work with within such an unusual shape than a brick structure. Concrete is used inside the building.The outer façade was designed to harmonise with the surroundings and create a ‘new’ interpretation of urban space. Cantilevered elements in the main facade create a series of specific spatial qualities on the inside and outside.

The building is squeezed into a very narrow street, but the actual design was more of a challenge than finding materials to work within the space. “It was very difficult to organise the floor plan,” says Wilko Hoffman, an architect at J Mayer H. “Minimum space was used for stairways so there was enough space for offices. We have to respect all the rules,” he adds. Another problem was to let enough light into the building, a problem partly solved by a white interior and very large glass windows on the front facade.