Glass Arcades on the Rathausmarkt in Hamburg
The competition entry (1977/78) was based on several fundamental considerations: The existing urban space should be made more tangible. Visual experiences, concrete, yet open-ended, uses, and tactile stimuli, such as running one's hand over a polished, round granite surface, were to be combined. The characteristic sequence of spaces—Rathausmarkt (City Hall Square), Kleine Alster (Little Alster), and Binnenalster (Inner Alster)—was emphasized: Three sides of the Rathausmarkt are clearly defined. One long side is essentially formed by the strongly profiled City Hall building. Opposite it, in front of the existing, unremarkable architecture, a glass arcade was constructed, its design forming a suitable counterpart to the City Hall, while simultaneously allowing a view of the square wall behind it and, through a break in the middle, still permitting a view of the City Hall.
