Revolution in housing construction: Hamburg's Morellen district sets new standards

Revolution in housing construction: Hamburg's Morellen district sets new standards

In Hamburg, there is a lot going on in residential building policy! In the Marienthal district, the innovative residential project "Morellenquartier" is being built, which acts as a showcase project for the new "Hamburg Standard". The aim of this standard is to reduce construction costs and at the same time create sustainable living space. The construction will take place on Schimmelmannstrasse and comprises a total of 90 subsidized rental apartments, spread over six new buildings. The Hansa Building Cooperative and the Otto Wulff construction company are responsible. Development city reports that the focus is on a simple and functional construction that does not require unnecessary equipment.

A central aspect of the project is to avoid cost -intensive elements such as basement and underground garages to save costs and resources. In order to reduce energy consumption, so-called "low-tech" solutions are used, with the strategic goal of emitting a maximum of 9.9 kg of CO₂ per square meter and year. With a serial design that integrates recurring planning steps and high preliminary depths, the construction costs should remain below 3,000 euros per square meter of living space.

sustainability strategy and life cycle balance

The CO₂ accounting should include the entire life cycle of the buildings. In this context, recyclable materials such as wooden facades are also used. An innovative award procedure not only evaluates the price, but also the construction period and the CO₂ value of the constructions. Construction is planned for December 2025, with a completion until March 2027.

This project fits into the larger initiative for the cost -reduced construction method, which was launched by the Hamburg Authority for Urban Development and Living. The new "Hamburg Standard", which was introduced on February 10 by Mayor Peter Tschentscher and urban development senator Karen Pein, has set itself the goal of reducing construction costs by up to 2,000 euros per square meter by identifying central cost drivers and replacing them by a legally secure alternative. Kay Gätgens, Managing Director of IBA Hamburg, emphasizes that the Wilhelmsburg town hall district should serve as a model district for the practical implementation of the Hamburg standard. IBA Hamburg reports of around 1,900 new residential units and associated infrastructures that will be created here.

Scientific support and future prospects

The research landscape for inexpensive housing is supported by a comprehensive study by the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research. This analysis, which is based on extensive database research, is intended to examine central influencing factors on construction costs and work out measures to reduce costs. The study ties in with previous work and is carried out by experts from the Fraunhofer information center space and construction in Stuttgart. A systematic preparation of the results should enable other cities to be able to orientate themselves to this approach. BBSR summarizes the core content of the examination.

A successful interaction of politics, construction industry and science could make a decisive contribution to ensuring that Hamburg's living space becomes both affordable and sustainable. This could serve not only the city, but also other communities as a model to create future -proof living space.