The team from BLB NRW and the main contractor are making rapid progress on the new Z1 and Z2 buildings at Paderborn University. Just nine months have passed since the foundation stone was laid, and the structural work on one of Paderborn University’s largest new-build projects has now been completed. The Building and Property Management Agency of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (BLB NRW) and the university celebrated this milestone together with numerous guests.
At the topping-out ceremony for the new Z1 and Z2 buildings, Bastian Jäntsch, Head of the Bielefeld branch, welcomed, amongst others, Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; Simone Probst, Vice-President of Paderborn University; Gabriele Willems, Managing Director of BLB NRW, and Deputy Mayor Robert Siemensmeyer. Together with those involved in the construction, they commended the successful completion of the structural work and the on-schedule and rapid progress of the building works.
The two four-storey new buildings are being constructed as modern replacements on a campus expansion site on Mersinweg and will, in future, offer optimal conditions for research, teaching and academic exchange across a gross floor area of 42,541 square metres. They will replace the university’s existing buildings P1 and P4–P7. The western new building, Z1, is intended for the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, whilst the eastern new building, Z2, is intended for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
A central corridor and a multi-storey bridge connect the two buildings
The new Z1 and Z2 buildings at Paderborn University are characterised by a clear architectural structure and a high degree of functional flexibility. The central element of both buildings is a continuous central corridor that links all levels and facilitates easy navigation within the buildings. Along this access axis, communal and relaxation areas are being created to encourage interaction and encounters between students, teaching staff and researchers. The two buildings will in future be connected by a multi-storey bridge, thus forming a cohesive ensemble on the campus.
Alongside modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms and office spaces, specialised research and laboratory areas are being created, offering a state-of-the-art infrastructure for teaching and research whilst also providing scope for the faculties’ future development.
Extensive sustainability measures
Particular emphasis is placed on energy efficiency and the conservation of resources. For instance, around 80,000 tonnes of rocky excavated soil were reused within the regional material cycle and processed into concrete, chippings and crushed stone at a nearby cement works. The energy concept provides for the use of waste heat from the neighbouring high-performance data centre, as well as photovoltaic systems, extensive green roofs and compliance with the ‘Effizienzgebäude 40’ energy standard. In addition, the aim is to achieve Silver certification under the ‘Sustainable Building’ evaluation system.
The topping-out ceremony marks the achievement of an important milestone. The technical fit-out and interior work will follow in the coming months.
Comments on the topping-out ceremony
“Modern, well-equipped buildings are essential for research and teaching. That is why the state is pressing ahead with the modernisation of university infrastructure in major strides. The new buildings for the Faculties of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering at Paderborn University represent a milestone for North Rhine-Westphalia as a centre of science. Thanks to excellent teaching and learning conditions, scientists in the particularly sought-after STEM subjects can work on the innovations of tomorrow. “This will contribute to the prosperity of our state and of everyone.”
Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
“The new buildings are a visible sign of our university’s dynamic development and scientific excellence. With Z1 and Z2, we are creating a state-of-the-art infrastructure to further develop research, teaching and knowledge transfer to a contemporary standard.”
Simone Probst, Vice-President for Finances and Human Resources at Paderborn University
“A topping-out ceremony is always a special moment, because it allows us to see very clearly what we have achieved together in such a short space of time. The completion of the structural work on Z1 and Z2 today demonstrates the sheer power behind this project – in the interplay between planning, construction and close collaboration with Paderborn University. The rapid progress of the construction work and the high standard of the work being carried out here are particularly impressive. My thanks go to everyone involved on site and in the project team. Together, we are creating a space here that will shape Paderborn University’s campus for many years to come.”
Gabriele Willems, Managing Director of BLB NRW
“The university is a key driving force for science, the economy and urban development in Paderborn. We are proud of our Paderborn University. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project for their excellent cooperation.”
Robert Siemensmeyer, Deputy Mayor of the City of Paderborn
“The fact that we are able to celebrate the topping-out ceremony just nine months after the foundation stone was laid is a remarkable achievement for a construction project of this scale. It demonstrates the high level of efficiency of everyone involved and the close, reliable cooperation on site.”
Bastian Jäntsch, Head of the Bielefeld branch of BLB NRW
This text was translated automatically.
