Shoe House Schüttfort, Hamburg-Bergedorf

The architect Carl Michael Römer is not planning to reinvent the wheel again, but what is crucial for him is to ensure that his designs are in harmony with the character of the place and that he is on the same wavelength with the client during his creative process. Römer finds inspiration and ideas always and everywhere. He considers a new modern interpretation of a classic building as important as its overall harmonious appearance. A successful example is the Schüttfort Shoe House in Bergedorf, a district of Hamburg. The building is the result of successful teamwork at all levels.

When Hamburg is mentioned, one immediately thinks of beautiful brick buildings. How do you see this as a Hamburg architect?
Carl Michael Römer: Yes, the peculiarity of the local architecture is the large office and commercial buildings made from striking building materials. Numerous structures made of common bricks or clinker characterize entire districts and are a symbol of Hamburg. In the 1920s, entire workers' housing estates with clinker facades even sprang up. One also envisions the historic warehouse district.

How have you tried to incorporate historical elements?
CMR: In our designs, bricks are an important element. We often use them even in new buildings. This material is significant for Hamburg's architecture and deserves protection. Unfortunately, brick facades are often being replaced with thermal insulation facades and covered with imitations, which I believe is not an appropriate alternative.

You have created and realized many projects for companies. What is so fascinating about designing a department store? What distinguishes your work?
CMR: For me, it is important that the architectural shapes correspond to the character of the company. The aim of modern designs should be a harmonious and unified effect of the building complex. The integrity of the building is given by the sum of many successful details, and the object then lives from these details.

Was this also the goal of the Schüttfort Shoe House project? Please tell us more about the history and basic concept of the building.
CMR: The first branch of the company was opened in 1911 in Hamburg-Bergedorf, and today we find the Schüttfort Shoe House in three locations in Hamburg. The parent company stands in the pedestrian zone of Hamburg's Bergedorf district, in a lively shopping street lined with historic half-timbered houses. The need to expand the shoe store became apparent, and at the same time, additional office spaces were incorporated into the project. In the midst of the built-up area, we constructed a four-story building with a basement, with a total usable area of 1500 m².

Did you encounter any particular complications during the design and construction of the building?
CMR: Yes, the problem was the construction site, specifically its wedge shape. Such a tapered plot is not common. Additionally, there were problems with groundwater. We had to underpin the entire surrounding development so that it wouldn't collapse into the construction pit. But that's just how it is when building in a densely built historical inner city.

The design of the building, especially at the rear, is not typical. What architectural peculiarities does it have?
CMR: We wanted to clearly show that something new is being created here. The front facade facing the street is divided into three building sections with a brick facade and a column-beam glass facade, as required by the urban style of Bergedorf. The building is meant to present itself modernly on the rear facade in the upper floors using the latest materials. To comply with building regulations and to gain more natural light, the facade retreats in the upper floors, featuring large windows, and an elegant rooftop terrace was created for the employees.

By using aluminum on the roof and, above all, on the facade, a visually lightweight skin was created over the brick base of the house. This impression was enhanced by the dynamically rounded facade clad with golden aluminum panels, which are a feast for the eyes. We had planned for the golden color in any case, and as fate would have it, templates in the color of Mayan gold had just newly appeared on the market. For the gabled roof, we decided on Falzonal roofing with a standing seam. Falzonal is both double-sided structured and surface treated. The seam technology allowed for literally filigree, linear distribution of the roof area. Strips with a width of 58 centimeters combined with generous dormers notably subdivide the overall design.

Why do you think aluminum is so well-suited for this project?
CMR: The roof and facade systems from Prefa provide many advantages. The panels convince with their attractive appearance and are optimally applied to dynamically shaped facades. Particularly practical is the low weight of the material. It was important for us to engage a good contractor. In the tender, we chose the company Schellhorn, which operates roofing and metalwork in Bergedorf. The result is a clean and impressive solution.

Did you want to evoke a certain mood, a certain feeling?
CMR: The building has large glass surfaces and is very transparent. This is intended to allow views from the outside in and vice versa. The house presents itself as open to the outside world and invites visits.

How was the collaboration with the builder, and what was particularly important to you in this process?
CMR: I enjoy working in Hamburg because we can have direct contact with the client. Consultations are very important to me, and this was also the case with the Shoe House project. I would like to express great praise to the builder because he was open to everything and accepted our proposals with understanding. He believed that a beautiful building would emerge, and I assert that we succeeded. After all, the building also expresses the atmosphere and environment of the urban area. One may not always be able to define why one feels good in a place, but each location and each purpose of the building requires a specific kind of architecture, and the architect must respect that or at least try to.

Precision and Skill

The golden panels on the rounded facade and the roof with standing seams, filled with many details, required maximum precision. In the Schüttfort Shoe House, this challenging task was undertaken by skilled employees of the local company Fritz Schellhorn GmbH.

The Schellhorn company is a traditional business that has been successfully operating for one hundred years in the field of sanitary, heating, and roofing work. "The customer gets everything from us from the basement to the roof," explains Jan Schellhorn, who has been running the business for the fourth generation. When he talks about his profession, he is enthusiastic because he enjoys new challenges: "There is always something new to discover in the materials, and we also have to fulfill various customer wishes." Unfortunately, though, there is a lack of motivated youth: "Apprentices are rare." Are there successors secured within the family? "Neither of my daughters is interested, but my son says already that he wants to join the business."

Comprehensive Realization

The architectural form of the Schüttfort Shoe House is as simple as it is convincing: the rear side of the building is inspired by the rounded tip of a shoe. For the striking facade, a PREFA facade panel measuring 29 x 29 in the color of Mayan gold was chosen, while the roof was covered with matte dark gray Falzonal. "For the rounded facade, the panels are optimal. The unusual appearance was crucial for the architect and builder," explains Schellhorn. The substrate construction was made of aluminum in the rounded areas and of wood in the straight sections. The panels could be adapted directly to the rounded shape on the facade, without prior preparation.

With the Expert Consultation of Prefa, It Was a Breeze

After intensive and careful training by a PREFA instructor, laying and assembly became simple. "The technician gave us good tips and several recommendations. Once we understood the working principle with the panels, the installation was straightforward." The panels are interconnected; therefore, good preparation and precise measuring are essential. Besides the extraordinary appearance, the long lifespan, resistance to both standard and extreme weather conditions, and, of course, the color fastness of the panels were decisive for the project. And what does he like most about the new building? "Of course, the facade," says Schellhorn. "This building is a win for Bergedorf and for us, it's a great reference project!"

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Project Name: Schüttfort Shoe House, Hamburg-Bergedorf Country: Germany Building, Location: office and commercial building, Hamburg Type of Construction: new construction Architects: Carl Michael Römer, C.M. RÖMER Architekturbüro, Hamburg PHOTOGRAPHY: Croce & WIR        Execution: Fritz Schellhorn GmbH, Hamburg Roof Type: Falzonal Roof Color: matte dark gray Facade Type: PREFA facade panel (Falzonal) 29x29 Facade Color: Mayan gold