With three rivers flowing nearby, water is an important component of the town of Hann.Münden. In addition to three rivers, the town also has three connected squares in the heart of the old quarter.
When it was becoming nearly impossible to walk this area as a pedestrian, the people had the idea of redesigning and revitalizing the three squares as people places. A theme was quickly found: “water-traces” - the paths followed by watercourses.
The goal behind the square in Hann. Münden was to create ‘paths followed by watercourses.’ These water traces were to represent the rivers around the town. These rivers were present, but not experienced in the city and by representing the rivers on the three squares in the town, this link was aimed to be established.
Atelier Dreiseitl
Art, Water, Light, Sound, City-space, Public participation, Rainwater Usage Objects Water-carpet and Sound-Light-Steles
This project was originally produced by Atelier Dreiseitl under the leadership of Herbert Dreiseitl. Since its merger in the year 2013 with the Ramboll Group A/S this project and the copyright is owned by Ramboll.
Location
Hann. Münden
Client
City of Hann.Münden
Timeline
Design: 1998 - 1999
Construction: 1999 - 2000
Area
1,000m2
Status
Completed
Dreiseitl designed a central water feature for the water traces, fed by rainwater from the church and town hall with a combined roof surface of 2000 m2. The square, once a historic bus station, now features an interactive water element capturing city sounds and translating them into ripples. The design includes four terraced steps, resembling a folded carpet, with water pumped into the highest step from a cistern. Interlinked by slopes, each step reveals rhythmic flow patterns, and lights reflect water movements on adjacent house walls. The design encourages people of all ages to explore water traces and leave their own.
Water . People . Traces
The flow pattern can also be changed by using the wave-making devices that are placed around the carpet. V-shaped glass-elements, about 5 m high, that sit on a steel plinth and are lit obliquely after dark.
The design has several interactive elements as well. One is a microphone that catches sounds of the environment and transforms this sound into small ripples via a vibrant plate. Moreover, a plate on a rubber ring can be used to create waves. Third, a tilting box can be used to create waves. Next to the feature are some light poles that reflect their light into the water and by that projecting water movement on the wall of the Rathaus.
The overarching concept of Hann. Munden was centered around "water traces," aiming to visually represent the dynamic nature of the rivers surrounding the city.
