Hamburg, Germany
European Prize for Architecture laureates LAVA architects collaborate with Cityplot, an urban agricultural collective, to create a new self-supporting and net-positive-energy building in a holistic, ideal environment for life-long learning.
The project has been awarded a 2021 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
This pursuit is supported by an open, innovative, and sustainable architecture.
The interior architecture offers an experiential landscape, which provides even regular users with the chance to experience and discover something new each day.
The central Agora is the primary organizational element of the building connecting the two main sections.
The Agora also houses central facilities such as the canteen and sports program. A generous staircase leads users to the north and south complexes.
The theme of diversity is reflected throughout working and learning spaces.
Most construction elements are made from solid wood, with a few exceptions for required services, which results in an excellent CO2 footprint. Wood is even the primary load-bearing structure.
The building envelope is efficient and climate-responsive: The heavily glazed facade is thermally insulated, optimizes daylighting, and creates a strong connection to the outside.
A peripheral second layer of the facade is covered with plants, absorbs CO2 and even creates habitat for local wildlife.
The green theme extends from the exterior into the interior, first into the central Agora and then via open terraces extending to the top floor of the building.
Peripheral terraces provide views of the surrounding green space but also allow for learning in the open air.
The interior and exterior become unified spaces, which, when working in tangent provide the ideal learning environment.
Project: LIFE Hamburg
Architects: LAVA Berlin GmbH
Permaculture Designers: Cityplot
Client: LIFE Hamburg GmbH & Co. KG
Photographers: LAVA
