As part of the field trip for the “Fundamentals of Structural Engineering 2” module, the Steel Structures Department organized a field trip to the Waldau Open School. The day-long field trip gave students a comprehensive insight into the planning and construction processes at a building site.
On site, students were able to connect the theory from their lectures with real-world experiences and directly observe how planning and construction are interlinked. During the site tour, Ms. Jordan and Mr. Suhr clearly explained the individual steps from the architectural concept to on-site implementation. They discussed in detail the planning processes, the coordination between architects, engineers, and contractors, as well as the specific challenges of open-construction methods using wood and reinforced concrete.
Especially with a construction project of this scale, the varying material properties require specialized structural solutions, high precision in dimensional accuracy, and careful coordination among the trades involved. A defining feature of this project is the permanently exposed structural framework. This necessitates particular care during the construction process to prevent surface damage to the structural components. The students also gained insight into the fact that coordination is crucial not only during the assembly of the structural systems but also in protecting them during subsequent finishing work.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Suhr and Ms. Jordan from GWG Plus for the comprehensive site tour and the insights into the planning and construction process of the Offene Schule Waldau.