Organic Chemistry Department of Heidelberg University, Germany
Execution 2011–2016
Client Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg, Mannheim and Heidelberg office
GFA 4,650 m²
The new building for the Organic Chemistry Department of the University of Heidelberg strengthens the urban design aspect of the campus at Neuenheimer Feld by defining a visual axis and pathway connection from the river Neckar. It replaces an existing building that no longer met the requirements of a modern laboratory building. Like the obsolete previous building, the new development—which has been constructed in the same place—is connected to an existing "spine" tract; this multi-level corridor connects several existing buildings that are accessed from the spine and extend out like arms at right-angles. These building arms form courtyards, with most of the rooms oriented towards them. During the design phase, the project was assessed under the criteria of the DGNB system in order to ensure compliance with Green Building assessment criteria.