Humboldthain

Urban Design: Building on a Grid
The urban design by &MICA is based on a grid on which the individual buildings can, like flexible pixels, be positioned, connected, separated and changed. This results in a dense develo­pment and simul­ta­neously ensures an inviting atmosphere, a high proportion of greenery and bright, attractive workspaces.

Archi­tecture: Building for More Flexi­bility
A total of six modular, adaptable buildings are grouped around the central promenade. Access is from four sides, depending on the use: The formal main entrances to the buildings face the promenade, while direct access to the production-intensive areas is from the street.
The buildings, which range from 3 to 13 storeys, step down in height from north to south. This design allows for many green spaces at different heights, fosters air circu­lation and empha­sises modularity. The buildings can be linked with bridges and thus expanded in their use. Stret­ching between the individual buildings are paved semi-public workers’ courtyards, which offer scope for individual, need-oriented open space design.

Building for the Future
The use of the roofs as retention areas, intensive roof and façade greening, irrigation with excess rainwater that is collected in cisterns: »Quartier Am Humboldthain« is designed to be sustainable in many respects. Geothermal energy combined with photo­vol­taics aims at CO2-neutral operation, especially since the stepped heights of the buildings enables the incor­po­ration of building-integrated photo­vol­taics on the southward façades.

Traffic: Building for Car-Free Connec­tions
Thanks to its central location with good transport links, the site offers superb condi­tions for estab­li­shing an enclave with few cars. Conse­quently, &MICA is planning the neigh­bourhood to be largely car-free in favour of a compre­hensive open and green space design. Need-oriented use is envisaged for emergency, delivery and waste disposal vehicles. Separate under­ground parking garages provide space to accom­modate 400 cars and 4,000 bicycles. The commercial traffic to be expected from the predo­mi­nantly commercial use will be managed within the quarter in an environ­men­tally friendly manner. A logistics hall in the north-western building serves as a central point for loading and unloading vehicles. A transfer hub is provided inside the building for »last mile« logistics: Deliveries will be made by e-trans­porters, cargo bikes and, in the future, AMR (autonomous mobile robots). A centrally located »mobility hub« provides bundled mobility oppor­tu­nities and services along with lockers, charging facilities and mobility counselling.

Building for Undis­turbed Coexis­tence
&MICA separates noise-intensive industry from quiet commerce. The production industry will be separated from the housing – as will the logistics centre and delivery points. Noise-intensive production and logistics are located towards the street, while zones of encounter and quiet businesses face the residential buildings. Public and semi-public spaces are also wisely zoned within the buildings: the ground-floor zones accom­modate production facilities on the street side, whereas along the central promenade there are skilled-trade businesses, showrooms, social facilities that serve people from beyond the immediate area, and some recrea­tional and cultural facilities. This enlivens the centre and guarantees peace and quiet for the neigh­bourhood. On the floors above, flexible spaces are available for labora­tories and offices.