dom square treasury

There is no place in the Netherlands where so much history coalesces as on the Dom Square in the city of Utrecht. The only problem is that an essential part of that history is subterranean and eludes all attention. For this reason, Initiatief Domplein (Dom Square Initiative) asked Tinker to transform three medieval cellars into a treasure trove where visitors could discover all the hidden history of the city square.

In response, Tinker has designed a space that evokes 2000 years of human history. The first cellar sweeps the visitors through the most salient episodes. Fast-moving trailers render history into a thrilling film. This effect is enhanced by light and sound effects. The second room has a more narrative and interactive character. Here, visitors can browse through drawers, photos, maps, pottery shards and film footage capturing the past and conjuring up the future of the square. Finally, the last cellar contains an underground Roman wall. Archaeologists are still at work here, excavating more of this wall; history is a work in progress and that is very tangible here.