Architecture firm CSMM and innovative law firm DLA Piper transform „Alter Wall“ in Hamburg into a transparent office environment and win design award

Munich, 10 December 2019: The architects and consultants from CSMM, along with the international law firm DLA Piper, have emerged as winners at the German Design Awards 2020. Together, they transformed the architecture of the historic “Alter Wall” building in Hamburg into an office space with a contemporary ambience. In doing so, they beat 1,500 other entries to win in the newly awarded category of ‘Excellent Architecture: Interior Architecture’. The award ceremony will take place in Frankfurt on 7 February 2020.

As an innovative law firm, DLA Piper wanted a concept for its 4,500 sqm Hamburg office that supports agile work and blurs the boundaries between open plan and single office. The Wilhelminian building “Alter Wall“ captivates with its architectural austerity and clearly symmetrical floor plan compositions. Integrating DLA Piper, the CSMM designers transformed this architectural language into a contemporary, inviting ambience and designed the rooms with plenty of glass, light and transparency. As a result, the design concept has won the German Design Award 2020.

The Design Council justified its decision: “The high proportion of glass creates an impression of transparency and openness, whereby the design manages to integrate the office landscape harmoniously into the listed architecture. At the same time, the clearly structured interior appears timelessly elegant thanks to the use of high-quality materials and modern furniture.”

“We are delighted and proud of this recognition by the Design Council. It demonstrates all the more that it is worth trying a new and bold approach, even in designing a law practice,” said Malte Tschörtner, architect and Managing Director of CSMM – architecture matters.