North entrance (new city entrance): The idea aims to create a main entrance to Arsenalplatz and a second access via Juristenstrasse. For this purpose, the Arsenalplatz square needs to be opened up, the quality of stay is increased with benches and display boards about the history of the place are placed. With this design, the street space appears more compact and relaxed by surrounding the police area with trees.
East entrance (former Elstertor): The aim here is to provide the gate situation with two large oak trees and to design the open space with additional trees so that the Lutherhaus stands out clearly as a viewing point. A connection should be created between the Luther House, the university and the remains of the bunker complex so that both school classes and tourists have the opportunity to broaden their horizons during guided tours. Information boards at the university about research then and now would also be conceivable.
West entrance (castle gate/church): Information for tourists, an exhibition pavilion in the line of sight to the castle and information boards about the former defense system and jump system would form a new gate situation and strengthen the space. The street space could be lined with trees and the traffic speed could be adapted to the location.
South Entrance (Elbtor): The aim is to create information points about the former gate system. A tree canopy over Elbstrasse would be an idea to bring people into the city and create a new gateway situation with a high quality of stay in the countryside. Information boards about the former weir system and the stream should be included in the gate situation.
The principles behind the design of the entrances are to reduce the insularity of the city center, strengthen interfaces and transitions to the city as a whole and expand tourism.
(Make entrances visible to preserve and revitalize the small structures, strengthen the connection to the inner city to surrounding urban structures, include remaining areas)
Last expansions to city gates and fortifications: The castle gate was last expanded in 1835 and the Elstertor in 1870 & 1873. In 1873 the order came to finally fortify the city and thus demolish the ramparts and walls. This resulted in today's green spaces and the source of the castle moat - the swan pond is one of these testimonies of that time.
1. West castle gate: around 1160 – 1350
2. Elbe Gate South: around 1160 – 1350
3. Elstertor East: around 1400 – 1525
4. Arsenal Gate North: around 2010
Archival source for this design study: Marco Gernt, Logik und Kreativität prägen das Leben. Architektur & Stadtentwicklung. Was braucht die Stadt?, Master of Architecture thesis, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, 10 January 2007, chapter IV.4.2, pp. 33-34 (studio archive, German). The people credited below contributed to the work. This text describes a design proposal, not a verified completed project.
SOURCE 2006
- Jana Corner | Anne Krätschmann | Marco Gernt, Germany