Kühne + Nagel

The "Kühne + Nagel Centrum" is situated at Grasbrookhafen, a prestigious location in the Hamburg HafenCity, thus forming an important component of this growing urban district.

Based on the principle planning requirements as defined in the urban master plan, a building with an individual identity has been created that is with its entire structure consistently orientated towards the water. Two three-storied angles, which are offset by 90 degrees, embrace an inner courtyard, whilst opening up via a generous foyer, a window, towards Grasbrookhafen. The third volume is a twelve-storied tower situated in the north-west, which forms a distinct urban landmark and originates a relationship to the inner city.

The prestigious new company location confirms the extreme commitment and value, that Kühne + Nagel has for Hamburg and the importance that this loca- tion has for the global logistic group. The design of the buildings generates a dialogue of contrasts: Whilst an external façade, which adheres to a strict vertical structure and is made of natural stone and glass, self-consciously faces the Speicherstadt as a hard shell, the internal courtyard façade is designed as a soft skin. This glass façade is emphasised horizontally by cantilevered floor slabs, which softens the courtyard’s rectangular plan with rounded corners. The transparency and lightness of the three-storied glazed entrance area forms a stimulating contrast against the rigid stone front of the north façade.

The realised concept creates attractive workspaces by offering almost every employee a view towards the surrounding water areas and reinforcing the significance of the location. Due to the generous design of the foyer it was even possible to create a visual link from the workspaces located in the eastern section to Grasbrookhafen.

The single office floors have a flexible floor plan. Considerate floor layouts and accentuations reinforce the employees’ identification with their workspace and thus the company. With custom-designed elements it was possible to create an individual furnishing concept, which incorporates movable working areas and collectively used fittings. The Corporate Identity becomes apparent with the company logo shining into the distance, which is positioned at the top floor of the tower. The corporation’s conference rooms are located on this top level, which consequently offer a splendid view. The enormous panoramic windows of the main conference area allow unrestricted views across the entire harbour area and the River Elbe up to Köhlbrandbrücke. The small con- ference room, which is also used as a lounge, is orientated towards the inner city and internalises the special atmosphere of the historic part of Hamburg.

In this project, the practice Jan Störmer Partner was commissioned with the office layout as well as the entire interior design. In close collaboration with Kühne + Nagel it was thus possible to create a convincing overall design.

Architecture
Störmer Murphy and Partners

Contest
1st prize

Area
19.450 sqm

Photos
Bernadette Grimmenstein | Dorfmüller, Kröger, Klier | Störmer Murphy and Partners