Zollhafen Mainz
New construction of a residential building with 89 residential units and 3 townhouses with shared underground car park
On both clear and stormy days, the new brick buildings at Zollhafen Mainz stand out clearly against the harbour backdrop. The calm, elegant and restrained buildings are reminiscent of the former use of the customs harbour: a reminiscence of the industrial past. The character of the old harbour use can still be felt, the simple materiality defines the architecture. Surrounded by canals, a homogeneous block structure is created on the harbour island "Flösserhof", which encloses the communal courtyard. The residential building rests on a solid plinth, which serves as a protective and connecting element. A total of 89 residential units and 3 townhouses were realised as terraced houses at Flösserhof.
Surrounded by water, the Mainz harbour islands on the old customs harbour site offer a variety of qualities. Inspired by the historic harbour buildings, the defining material of the quarter is brick in an iridescent red colour with a dark joint pattern. The balconies, loggias, entrance areas and outer sides of the security stairwells are replaced by recurring steel elements in the characteristic colours of the former cargo cranes. This material is used throughout the building, in all ancillary facilities such as blind elements or in the exterior space, and forms a clear contrast to the coarse main material, the facing brickwork. The Flösserhof is designed as a cosy garden courtyard. Its buildings form a homogeneous, closed block structure that harbours a lush green garden with deciduous trees, perennials and shrubs inside. Driftwood-like seating and play furniture give meaning to the name of the courtyard.
The access staircases of the residential buildings open up to the canals through balconies. Terraces that reach down to the water create attractive spaces for communal use on the ground floor. In order to give as many residents as possible a view of the harbour basin, the loggias are extended by small cantilevered balconies. The materials chosen also contribute to the harbour feeling: broken bricks convey roughness, complemented by elements in a black steel look and glass. In addition to the Flößerhof, blrm also worked on the neighbouring Kaufmannshof in the competition. With its partly commercial use, the Kaufmannshof is designed as an urban and elegant harbour island. Its buildings exhibit a high degree of diversity. Nevertheless, in order to unify the ensemble, the design envisages a uniform façade material and repetitive elements and structures. An all-round plinth gives both harbour islands visual cohesion and stability.
