THE BASE

The"Base" -we call the core central partof the square, thelocation of the original founding fortification Hammaburg and the cathedral, today an open green space with modern architectural references to former pillars and walls yetleaving therich culturalheritage practically invisible to citizensand visitors. Herewe launched our various analogue and digital observation method's,prototyped digital cultural storytelling,explored serviceinnovations and experienced the reality ofan urban testbedin a multiple stakeholderenvironment.

"The steel constructions that you can see here symbolize the former Hammaburg. Exactly at this point between Domstrasse and Schopenstehl, it stood - a high rampart of wood and earth with a fortified palisade and a ditch in front of it. It had been built as a stronghold at the beginning of the 9th century. To its west side a settlement developed and on the shore the first harbor.

If you are looking for Hamburg's nucleus for the first time, you may be disappointed at first, as you cannot see it anymore. Hammaburg - that conjures images of Medieval stone ruins, which one searches in vain here. Only a few of the street names still give you an idea of what you could find here 1000 years ago: Alter Fischmarkt ("old fish market"), Steinstrasse ("stone street"), Kleine Reichen-strasse ("small rich people's street")"

(Audio Tour Archaeological Museum Hamburg)

The central main and green space with the cube-shape seating elements that consist of light boxes within the two crossing paths (north/south and west/east) constitutes spatial and narrative base of the area.

The currentdesign of the square takes up many historical elements. The outline of the Wallring (fortification ring) is picked up by partially walkable wall fragments made of steel. Within the rampart is a large park-like la