New building for natural sciences: "A milestone for the development of the university".

The Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is currently still the only user at the Heinrich-Plett-Strasse location in Kassel Oberzwehren (AVZ). For many years, efforts have been underway to close this location. Instead, the department is to move to the Holländischer Platz campus. A construction site for the natural sciences is planned on the former Gottschalk site. This is located north of Moritzstrasse in close proximity to the ASL buildings (Department of Architecture - Urban Planning - Landscape Planning), the student house and the cafeteria. The building project is to be realized in three successive construction phases.

The competition brief included the design of a new building for physics/nanostructural sciences, which is to be realized as the first construction phase for the department on campus. For the subsequent construction phases for the institutes of chemistry, biology and mathematics, an idea section was to be planned as well. The move from the AVZ location to Holländischer Platz is associated with high qualitative expectations for the Department of Natural Sciences. The new institute buildings should provide scientists with improved research conditions. The university intends to further expand its nanotechnology area. Therefore, a new nanotechnology center (NTC) with highly installed clean room areas is also to be realized in the new buildings.

Seventeen selected offices participated in the competition. The task was characterized by very complex specifications and the highest demands on functionality. The jury met for two days to select the best designs. The decision was made in favor of a Stuttgart office: From the jury's point of view, the design by Birk Heilmeyer & Frenzel Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH best meets the high expectations and was therefore awarded 1st prize: "The clear structure of the floor plan in the main building is accompanied by a technical and installation concept that is both coherent and resilient," was the jury's verdict. The design is attested clear "attitude and coherence". "The work responds to the complex questions of the task on all sides with unstrained naturalness. The substantial concept ideas are carefully worked out and technically supported. The design succeeds here in achieving a coherent building typology with a restrained appearance from the balancing act between necessary ratio (laboratory building/technology) and concise form (urban development)," the jury continued. The tender requirements also included aspects such as flexibility and economic efficiency, but also to offer spaces in which the teaching and research content of physics can be convincingly experienced and to promote cooperation through an inspiring atmosphere. The 2nd prize was awarded to Heinle Wischer Gesellschaft für Generalplanung mbH (Stuttgart) and the 3rd prize to Staab Architekten GmbH (Berlin).

University President Prof. Dr. Ute Clement is pleased that the course has now been set for further construction activities on the North Campus: "The new building for natural sciences is another milestone for the development of the university and an important building for research. I am pleased that, after long preparations in a very constructive and user-oriented jury, we were able to select an architectural firm whose design seemed the most suitable to all involved."

Hesse's Minister for Science and the Arts Angela Dorn added: "The result of the successful architectural competition for the new building of the Physics and Nanostructure Sciences means that the relocation of the Mathematics and Natural Sciences to the Holländischer Platz campus, long longed for by the University of Kassel, is taking concrete shape for the first time. I am pleased that, as part of the continuation of the HEUREKA university construction investment program, the conditions have been created so that the realization of the project can now also be tackled quickly."

Construction of the 1st construction phase is scheduled to start in 2026. The budget for the construction project is 117 million euros and will be financed by the state's HEUREKA program. Since the department's institutes work closely together on an interdisciplinary basis, the university is aiming for rapid implementation of all three construction phases.

The exhibition was opened by University President Prof. Dr. Ute Clement on June 7 at 1 p.m. in the foyer of the Campus Center and can be viewed there during opening hours until June 27. During the Campusfest, which will take place on June 30, the exhibition will be paused and then presented again from July 6 to 15. During Campusfest, the first four winning entries will be presented at K 19.

Contact:
Beata Lejman
University of Kassel,
Department of Construction, Technology and Real Estate
Phone: 0561 804-2258
E-mail: lejman[at]uni-kassel[dot]de