Wedel has been an independent town since 1875, formed from the large agricultural village of Alt-Wedel, the small farming village of Spitzerdorf, and the former seafaring village of Schulau on the Elbe River. The building's design concept directly references this history of the town. It highlights the contrasts between the agricultural village and the seafaring village, contrasts that are still evident today in the street and path layout of Wedel's buildings.
