The Roots project is an 18-storey wooden high-rise currently under construction in Hamburg’s HafenCity. A total of 181 flats will be built here, along with exhibition rooms and the administrative offices of the Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung (German Wildlife Foundation). All upper floors will be built using solid wood floor slabs and load-bearing walls in solid wood construction, only the basement and ground floor as well as the circulation cores of the building are planned in reinforced concrete construction. This building method contributes to the reduction of the CO2 footprint, but also limits noise emissions during implementation and ensures a healthy indoor climate.
Sliding glass elements protect the all-round loggias from wind and weather. With an exhibition centre focusing on nature conservation and wildlife, Hamburg is gaining a significant venue that enthuses people about nature and biodiversity and raises their awareness of nature conservation.
No use of composite materials, which allows the complete dismantling of the building. Reuse of individual components is therefore conceivable.
“I firmly believe that we as architects have long realized that sustainability is part of our daily agenda. For too long, architects have only talked about this, but implemented little. Like a number of other timber construction projects by Störmer Murphy and Partners, Roots is a groundbreaking example that reflects this assumed responsibility for lived sustainability.”
“Making full use of design leeway and assuming responsibility. Sustainable architecture can only succeed through the responsible commitment of all those involved: clients, planners, bodies responsible for approvals and the construction industry. The Roots project has created a new normal in our office.”
Investment application procedure
Start of planning phase (HOAI service phase 2)
Facade mock-ups, search for timber construction company, redesign, cost optimisation
Building permit, commencement of construction
Assembly of timber construction
Completion
Uta Meins, Projektleiterin Störmer Murphy and Partners
Larchwood façade
The supporting structure in solid wood construction is recyclable, thus retaining the bound CO2.
The more complex detail planning, which already starts in the pre-planning phase (HOAI service phase 2), is offset by an accelerated construction process due to the high level of prefabrication. Façade segments of up to 14 m in length are prefabricated in the factory and transported to the construction site on low-loaders. The assembly of one high-rise storey takes approx. 3 weeks.
Philipp Macke, project leader
Philipp Macke, project leader
HAHN Consult
Uta Meins, Projektleiterin Störmer Murphy and Partners