area 123 | on the water

architect: MONOarchitects

location: Hamburg, Germany

Following the example set by Amsterdam and other European countries, in 2007 Hamburg initiated a competition for investors for the development of Houseboats on the Eilbek canal in an attempt to revitalise the urbanisation of the city centre‘s waterways.
The shape of the houseboat is designed in keeping with the desire for a maritime atmosphere as well as the demand for an open, integrated spatial structure. Both components ‘house‘ and ‘boat‘ – with reference to the shipbuilding industry in both form and material on one hand, and to the modern housing in the large-scale openings on the other hand - are combined to create an independent and consistent form. A multiple folded band creates the dynamic exterior shape, whilst allowing the space inside to remain both private as well as providing a coherent view on to the outside world. It embraces the canal bank and leads the visitor on to the houseboat through its continuous flowing shape.
The use of untreated aluminium plates and rustic oak planks on the exterior enhances the maritime character and through the aging process of these materials it becomes integrated in the surroundings. In the interior the oak continues in the flooring, and its interaction with the white rendered inner skin of the exterior fold provides a clear contrast to the outer space, creating a sensory boundary between inside and outside.
In the interior the dynamic design of the exterior fold is stabilised. The extensive volume of the spaces on two levels is evidence of Inner clarity and allows the space to become multi-functional.
It could be used for anything: as an office, a unique apartment or even a nightclub on the water.
The concept for the competition provided enough space for an office with up to 9 workspaces on two separate levels. The floor plan is organized so that a large-scale workspace and a closed conference room are spatially separated through the positioning of the internal staircase and the ancillary areas.