Working boulevard OTTO-Space, Hamburg German Landscape Architecture Award 2019 - Working Environment Category

The nucleus of the Otto company site in Hamburg-Bramfeld with its outdoor space originally shaped by logistical use becomes a campus! A place with high recreational qualities and special features that invites people to meet and work outdoors. Historic-functional architecture and a contemporary outdoor space interact in an exciting way. A place of communication with niches for relaxation and regeneration, which at the same time transfers the company history into a contemporary context.

ARBEITSBOULEVARD - OTTO Space
The building ensemble on the Otto company premises is characterised by functional-objective architecture of the 70s: window facades and clearly arranged, rectangular structures characterise the space. The entire open space is undergoing reclamation. With its inviting character and lush planting, the redesigned campus creates an exciting contrast to the surrounding architecture.

The clarity of the space between the buildings is further developed as a boulevard space by linear planting strips. In rhythmic succession, planting strips are planted with perennials, grasses and hedges and offer a seasonally changing picture. Shade-giving boulevard oaks, planted in a loose grid, cover the boulevard. As a contribution to biodiversity, the planting concept provides for the use of successional plants and native trees and woody plants, among others.

A continuous, wooden furnishing strip with benches and tables creates opportunities for communication and exchange. The campus is complemented by a cafeteria building and a vegetable stand for regional products. As a "green oasis", the boulevard offers both: tranquillity and communication in an ambience characterised by diverse vegetation. The aspect of use is in the foreground, not the front address location is decisive, but the play of the rear outdoor space as a "gift" for the employees.

The redesign of the open space breaks up the original existing asphalt surfaces between the buildings to span a generous carpet of light-beige concrete stone with planting areas as "green inlays". As a water feature, two fountain fields accentuate the open space and enliven the campus with their changing movements and sounds. The water jets are passable by heavy traffic and each jet has LED lighting integrated in the jet pot, so that a play of light underlines the lively impression. Existing furnishings such as wastebaskets, benches, and the smokers' shelters were removed in a sustainable manner that preserves their value and reinstalled elsewhere.

The central furnishing strip features a beginning and end point where an open, covered oval with integrated seating and overhead lighting is located as a place for outdoor communication. Open seating areas with table and benches as well as generous platform areas invite people to work or linger. The surfaces of the furniture band are made of wood along its entire length, the lateral edging is provided by a steel band. The podium element is raised by approx. 30 cm and has an undercut so that it appears to "float" slightly above the floor. All tables have a power connection on the side or underneath to ensure work with laptops, for example. In the evening hours, the furniture band is given a special atmosphere by an LED light band in the undercut.

As a dynamic campus with its versatile user qualities, the "working boulevard" invites people to take part in different activities and at the same time contributes to greater diversity with its extensive, native-oriented planting concept.

Award working environmentGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2019

Jury verdict: Elongated planting strips and a continuous band of furniture turn the courtyard of the OTTO Versand administration into an attractive recreational space. WES Landschaftsarchitektur Hamburg have created usable outdoor facilities where there used to be asphalt!

The example of the OTTO Boulevard shows the necessity of developing suitable open spaces for the future of working environments, even in existing buildings. The elongated passage areas provide an occasion to stay and talk at the benches and tables, to work outdoors and to take a break in between. Boulevard oaks define this space with their light shade and are complemented by hedges of copper beech and cornelian cherry. These frame strips of attractive grasses and native wild perennials, which have been complemented with strong-colored accents such as echinacea, sage, and autumn anemones.

In this project, the focus was not only on the year-round attractive appearance, but also on aspects of biodiversity and disease-resistant woody plant selection that would not impact allergy sufferers. It should be emphasized that the Wandsbek District Office, Nature Conservation Department, accepted the robust choice of trees as a replacement planting. The jury praised the invigorating use of open space in the working environment and the use of plants that enriches the urban climate.