The Media Tower

Harvard GSD Option Studio

Instructor: Eric Parry

2018

HafenCity is a quarter in Hamburg that has been going through one of the largest urban renewal projects in Europe. This project focuses on the eastern tip of HafenCity, a site that is cut off from the rest of the district by infrastructures such as railways and highways. Despite its remote location, the site is important because a 250m tower is planned there, which echoes the iconic Elbphilharmonie on the western tip of Hamburg. The urban design strategy used in this project aims to bridge over complex infrastructures through two systems including a constructed landscape surface and a bar building, while the tower establishes a high-profile presence in the city because of its unique form. Through urban and tower design, the goal is to transform the now vacant site into a space that brings together public activities and celebrates the creative industries in Hamburg.

Each one of the three urban design elements has its specific role. The Constructed Landscape provides open public space on top and parking underneath, as well as unifies the entire site area. The Bridge Building reaches out to the rest of HafenCity. The tower establishes a strong presence in the city and give the site its identity.

The inspiration of the tower comes from the intention of celebrating media culture in Hamburg in strong physical form. Therefore, the middle part was created using combination of several cylinders that contain circular TV / sound studios. Rectangular office plans below and above the studios are blended in with the circular studio plans smoothly in section. Abundant triple-height spaces are created for flexible office spaces and public activities.