University of Kassel builds house for students: More space for AStA and other groups

In the German university landscape, the student house is a special project with model character. The designs for the conversion and renovation are the work of students, and the students are also closely involved in the implementation as future users. The General Student Council (AStA), the autonomous departments and student groups are to move into the listed building complex at the beginning of 2019. In addition, there will be a Repair Café and a center for cultural events in the basement. With just under 1,400 square meters of usable space, students will have around twice as much room as before. The costs of around 4.95 million euros are being financed from the Higher Education Pact 2020 of the federal and state governments.

Boris Rhein, Hesse's Minister for Science and the Arts, commented: "I am pleased that the student house is another important project at the University of Kassel to improve study conditions and social infrastructure for students."

University of Kassel President Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey added, "This project is unparalleled in Germany. It proves how important it is for the university to give its students freedom. At almost five million euros, we are providing substantial funding for this."

The complex, which dates back to 1910 (the so-called "head buildings"), is a legacy of the former Gottschalk textile company, which used the buildings to dry and dye large fabrics. Located on the eastern edge of the North Campus, they consist of a four-story structure with openings on all sides and another building with three levels and a more enclosed character. A glazed entrance area will be built between these two structures. The facades will be left largely in their current state to further reveal the building's history and traces of use. Much of the industrial architecture will also remain visible in the interior spaces.

Self-managed space for students will grow considerably. Currently, AStA is spread across six buildings on campus. In addition, the AStA uses the "Kulturzentrum K 19" as an event hall. However, due to the expansion of the North Campus and noise protection requirements, the K19 can no longer be used in the long term at its current location directly next to a student dormitory. The new venue in the basement of the student house not only offers better noise protection, but also more accessibility, a backstage area and storage space.

Under the motto "Students plan for students," architecture students had submitted proposals for the conversion in a competition in 2015. Two winning designs form the basis for the current implementation. Together with the commissioned architectural firm, the winners developed them further and adapted them to actual needs. Other prospective architects, civil engineers and landscape planners are also involved in the planning. Two representatives of the AStA and the state conservator are continuously involved in the concrete implementation. In addition, a "Planungs-ARGE Kopfbauten Uni-Kassel" (planning consortium for head buildings at the University of Kassel) consisting of the architectural office Kreter-Peters-Lubenow, the offices RBS-Ingenieure and PPC Projekt-Planung & Consulting GmbH as well as other specialist planners has been commissioned for the implementation.

Completion of the student house is scheduled for the end of 2018, with the AStA moving in at the beginning of 2019.

Visualizations (Graphics: Nocke/Pfeiffer):

View into the cultural center:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2017/2016-06-17_03_Visualisierung_K19_01.jpg

The future entrance area:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2017/2016-06-17_01_Visualisierung_L%C3%BCcke.jpg

Contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
Email: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de