136 Leder Schüler Hamburg

A project to replace the iconic expressionist Leder Schüler factory, designed by Fritz Höger. Although it survived the Second World War, the steel structure within the brick facade has deteriorated to a state where preservation seems no longer feasible. This raises a fundamental question: how can the memory of a historic landmark be carried forward into the future?

Rather than a literal reconstruction, the project responds to the absence of the original building through architectural ‘attitude’. Inspired by Höger’s innovative spirit, the design is not interested in imitation but in a radical innovative response to the question of how to build climate-aware and resilient.

The new development comprises three L-shaped volumes arranged around a large central courtyard. Open passages and a colonnade define a public route through the ensemble, opening up Hammerbrook’s urban fabric and creating a pedestrian-friendly space within an environment shaped by heavy traffic.

The building’s structure is both evocative and radically sustainable. The floors are formed by a grid of vaults constructed from prefabricated concrete pieces. This thin-shell structure requires no steel reinforcement, significantly reducing carbon footprint. Furthermore, the elements are dry assembled, bound together by the structural logic of the forces in the arch. This allows for the entire structure to be demounted and reassembled, ensuring the building itself to become a resource for future use.