Diebsteich competition in Hamburg decided

The winners of the competition for the ThyssenKrupp site in Hamburg have been announced. In December 2022, the jury awarded first prize to the design by architects gmp and WES LandschaftsArchitektur. Find out here what facilities are planned for the site at Diebsteich station and what the winning design envisages for the open space.

Until 1890, the area around Diebsteich was still a green meadow. The Isebeck meandered through the agricultural fields. With the second expansion of the city of Altona, the area lost its rural appearance. And from 1922, it was no longer the fields that dominated the area, but the industrial halls of the ThyssenKrupp company. Although the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg acquired the property in 2017, the company continued to use the site until 2021. Since then, a gradual transformation of the district has begun. The relocation of the Altona long-distance and regional train station to the Diebsteich site is a key element of the new development. The new mobility hub is also bringing the former company site into the focus of urban development. A soccer stadium and a music hall, commercial space and infrastructure for the neighborhood are to be built here in the future. To this end, the city launched a Europe-wide competition for the realization of a building and open space planning project. Twelve planning teams took part in the process. The competition has now been decided.

The design by gmp International GmbH with WES GmbH LandschaftsArchitektur, both from Hamburg, won over the jury. They unanimously voted the design into first place. Second place went to the team agn Leusmann from Hamburg with agn Niederberghaus & Partner from Ibbenbüren and RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten from Bonn. Architects Venus from Hamburg in collaboration with :mlzd from Berlin and GREENBOX from Cologne secured third place. In the end, it was not only the 21-member jury that voted for the winning design with absolute clarity. The citizens of Hamburg also found words of praise in the open exhibition announcing the winners. In the end, it was probably the generous open space and the respectful treatment of the existing building that won them over.

Stefanie von Berg, head of the Altona district authority, explained the decision as follows: “The winning design provides an inviting open space for people in the district. The structural appearance, characterized by a large staircase on the office building, has the potential to become the urban heart of Diebsteich.” gmp Architekten and WES LandschaftsArchitektur designed a harmonious ensemble consisting of an office building, music hall and stadium. Their design demonstrates a very unique architectural language. The new buildings form a coherent symbiosis with the existing buildings. The striking gatehouses and the historic administration building – both originally built in 1923 – have been retained. They will be repurposed. The tower structure of the music hall also seems inspired by the industrial charm of the site. The hall blends naturally into its surroundings. In addition, the existing trees will be respected and will remain.

However, it is not only the design details that are extraordinary, but also the dimensions of the project. The planned music hall is to provide space for 5,000 visitors. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, emphasizes that the city has lacked this scale until now. He expects the construction project to have an immense impact on the entire city: “With the redevelopment of the ThyssenKrupp site, the former industrial area directly next to the future Diebsteich train station will be transformed into a vibrant quarter that will radiate throughout the city.” In their design, gmp Architekten and WES LandschaftsArchitektur envisage an outdoor stage at the music hall. All those involved hope that this will encourage interaction with Altona’s local cultural scene. It is certainly this opening towards the neighborhood that ultimately convinced the jury.

The new functions will help shape the entire Diebsteich district from now on. Andy Grote, the city’s sports senator, expects the stadium to become an attractive attraction at Diebsteich. Not only for fans of Altona 93, but also for sports enthusiasts, who will find infrastructure for beach volleyball, tennis and streetball on site.

The judges also referred to the green façades and roofs, which are said to be beneficial to the microclimate. In addition to ecological aspects, Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance, formulated economic requirements: “In times of high construction prices, it is important to achieve an economically viable real estate development that functions sustainably over the life cycle of the buildings.”

It was a complex task to bring together the various requirements – sport, culture and commerce – at this special location. However, Franz-Josef-Höing, Senior Building Director, is certain that the award-winning design provides a good basis for further development. Now it is a matter of taking “the next steps towards a wonderful quarter”. And at a rapid pace.

The new station reception building will be built at Diebsteich by 2027. The redevelopment of the ThyssenKrupp site opposite is crucial for the urban development of the location. The selected design is now to be further elaborated. In 2024, the city intends to establish the development plan based on this.

What else is going on in Hamburg? Last year, Treibhaus Landschaftsarchitektur and Duplex Architekten won the competition for Hopfenmarkt Hamburg.