Fotos: INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Fotografin: Ines Grabner
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Photos: INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Photographer: Ines Grabner
Impressions from the 2024 Pre-Test Events
From 1 July to the end of September 2024, parts of Hardenbergplatz were made available to the public as event spaces. Civil society groups, institutions, organisations, event organisers and local businesses were invited to use the square for temporary activities. The SMART SPACE Hardenbergplatz (HAD) project ran its Pre-Test phase through 30 September 2024.
The events hosted during this period served as real-world trials to test the interaction between the HAD subprojects and to explore the potential of the square—both in the present and in preparation for the Prototype in 2025.
Below is a selection of activities and impressions from this pilot phase, starting with the last event and finishing with the first.
Fotos: INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Fotografin: Ines Grabner
Information Event: “Craft Professions Info Day”
On Friday, 20 September 2024, the Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für berufsbildende Maßnahmen mbH (GFBM) hosted another event at Hardenbergplatz, building on a successful earlier collaboration. Together with the HAD project team, a hands-on workshop area was once again set up directly in front of Zoologischer Garten station.
Carpenters and joiners offered live demonstrations of traditional skills and gave insights into training pathways in the skilled trades. GFBM also provided information on vocational and continuing education, integration programmes, and language courses. Visitors could learn more about qualifications and support systems for professional development and employment.
The SMART SPACE Hardenbergplatz team gathered valuable insights on how short-term events can be implemented on the square. Interaction with local residents and stakeholders deepened—an essential step in preparing the smooth delivery of Prototype 2025.
The Info Day marked the final event of the Pre-Test. The experiences gained now inform the planning and design of the 2025 prototype.
Fotos: INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Fotografin: Ines Grabner
Information Event: Vocational Traineeships at the Sägewerk Grunewald School for Carpentry and Woodworking
On 23 August 2024, a pop-up sawmill appeared in front of Bahnhof Zoo. Organised by GFBM and the vocational carpentry school Sägewerk Grunewald, the event featured apprentices in carpentry showcasing their craft through live demonstrations—sawing and hewing wood on site.
This temporary intervention in the heart of City West allowed organisers to raise awareness about their training and education programmes. The event highlighted not only the diversity of public space, but also the many pathways into vocational education—for young people and career changers alike.
Fotos: INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Fotografin: Ines Grabner
Music and Culture Event: “Soul im Kiez”
With the “Soul im Kiez” concert series, SMART SPACE Hardenbergplatz brought its first live music event to Hardenbergplatz. From 16 to 18 August 2024, visitors enjoyed gospel, jazz, and R&B performances right outside Bahnhof Zoo.
Alongside the concerts, the programme included an exhibition on the history of soul music. Presenter Josiah Bruce guided audiences through this musical journey with songs by legendary soul artists, while Brazilian musician Andre Bahia provided live accompaniment.
INSEL-PROJEKT.BERLIN GmbH | Fotografin: Ines Grabner
Kick-Off Event: “FUTURE NARRATIVES – Smart City”
To mark the beginning of the Pre-Test phase, the HAD project team hosted the event “FUTURE NARRATIVES – Smart City” in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) and the industry association Extended Reality Berlin-Brandenburg (XRBB).
For impressions of the kick-off, visit the following page: Kick-Off Pre-Test →