Redesign of Hamburg Dammtor Bahnhof

As part of Deutsche Bahn's Smart City programme the monumental Hamburg Dammtor station has undergone a significant transformation: from new furniture, visual art installations in the entrance building to new signage and travel information. Blom&Moors was commissioned to redesign the platforms and apply new furniture.

Hamburg Dammtor station is one of five case studies to lead to the development of an Ordnungssystem für Ausstattungselemente for all German railway stations, which Blom&Moors, in intensive collaboration with DB, has been working on since 2020. The floor plans and recommendations from the Hamburg Dammtor case study served as the basis for the actual realisation.

Built in 1903 and designed by architect Ernst Möller, the sandstone-built art nouveau station is largely covered and has two long platforms. Despite being known as Germany's most beautiful station, in the old situation the platforms were mostly very crowded and their layout lacked any relation to the station architecture. At many German stations, we see objects that are no longer in use, or several generations of station furniture being used interchangeably. This was also the case at Hamburg Dammtor station.

The interventions were based on three themes: restoring basic quality, creating a logical sequence of functions and improving spatial quality.

The platforms now look tidier and fresher. Passengers have more space and an overview of the platforms and all facilities are offered in a logical order. Wherever possible, the waiting areas are situated symmetrically in relation to the large arched windows. The natural colour use of bamboo on the new furniture harmonises with the material colours of the station building. The large advertising boards have been replaced by a small number of digital displays, and a larger display on one of the walls. In conjunction with all the other changes such as the cleaning and lighting of the facades and platform roof, the artworks and the contemporary graphic design of the signage, the station is once again worthy of the title of Germany's most beautiful station.

Within the Smart City programme, the nearby Hamburg Dammtor station also underwent a thorough redesign by Blom&Moors and Trafique, focusing on furniture and platform planting.

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