People wonder about the source of major rivers from time to time. And there are some that do not have a source at all. The Weser, for example. It seems that it got its name because people could not agree whether the river should be called the Fulda or the Werra from the point at which they meet in Hannoversch Munden. This town, now called Hann. Munden for short, is near Kassel, and – as is the case with many places on rivers – water is very important, bringing great happiness and great misery. And yet the two rivers that meet here flow past behind the old town, and are quite insignificant for it and in the awareness of many people. A well as three rivers, the town also has three connected squares in the heart of the old quarter: Kirchplatz, the square between the church and the town hall and the market-place. When decisions were made about traffic – calming, people had the idea of redesigning and revitalizing the squares. A theme was quickly found: ‘water-traces’ – the paths followed by watercourses – were to be made visible. Registering as an associate Expo location provided an immovable completion deadline. The way in which project was organized made a major contribution to its success. Five working groups made up of residents, landscape architects and fine artists, chaired by an architect, developed a wide range of ideas. Experts worked together and with laymen in an open atmosphere and finally created six works of art in the ensemble of squares, which slopes downwards from south to north. The Dreiseitl studio built its contribution to this system, which is fed mainly by rainwater, in the square between the church and the town hall. There are four terraced steps here, like a large folded carpet. The water bubbles out of the topmost, narrowest terrace, and runs over the next three, each of which drops through a small height. |
The lighting design generates always new perspectives in the water. |
The rhythmic patterns on the surface of the water are reflected on to the large town hall facade by cleverly devised lighting management. |
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E_05_a_dreiseitl_130-151_16 19.09.2005 12:05 Uhr Seite 138
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