The House within the House - Modern Architecture in historical Hallsby Laura Zimmer | 08.05.2011

House within the House

Erecting a house within a house may sound somewhat incomprehensible from an architectural point of view, but it has become reality in Hamburg. The Chamber of Commerce Hamburg started a competition in 2003 regarding the reconstruction of the former stock market hall. Here, new floors were supposed to be realized inside one of this Hanseatic city’s oldest buildings. The design of a transparent glass cube by Behnisch architects was very convincing. Here, modernism meets neo-classical architecture of the listed stock market hall since the opening in 2007. 

Erecting a house within a house may sound somewhat incomprehensible from an architectural point of view, but it has become reality in Hamburg. The Chamber of Commerce Hamburg started a competition in 2003 regarding the reconstruction of the former stock market hall. Here, new floors were supposed to be realized inside one of this Hanseatic city’s oldest buildings. The design of a transparent glass cube by Behnisch architects was very convincing. Here, modernism meets neo-classical architecture of the listed stock market hall since the opening in 2007. 

The first two floors house the start-up center. Consulting offices and three meeting rooms can be reached from the first floor via a spiral staircase. The third floor is also an expansion of the adjacent Albert-Schäfer hall and is connected with the historical building through a bridge. The Chamber of Commerce’s showroom “Wir handeln für Hamburg” (We take action for Hamburg) is located on the fourth floor along with the economic library of the Commerzbank. The restaurant of the stock market club can be found on the fifth floor and provides a free view into the hall as well as access to the lounge and cabinets of the fifth floor. The luxurious interior grants a stylish atmosphere. Precious carpets, English settees and an antique chandelier contrast the lightness and transparency of the construction volume. 

The first two floors house the start-up center. Consulting offices and three meeting rooms can be reached from the first floor via a spiral staircase. The third floor is also an expansion of the adjacent Albert-Schäfer hall and is connected with the historical building through a bridge. The Chamber of Commerce’s showroom “Wir handeln für Hamburg” (We take action for Hamburg) is located on the fourth floor along with the economic library of the Commerzbank. The restaurant of the stock market club can be found on the fifth floor and provides a free view into the hall as well as access to the lounge and cabinets of the fifth floor. The luxurious interior grants a stylish atmosphere. Precious carpets, English settees and an antique chandelier contrast the lightness and transparency of the construction volume. 

Further projects from Hamburg…