"The building for the mission"
"The Forum Konstanz is nothing less than the architectural re-imagination of the University of Konstanz."
This is how Dirk Leuffen, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation and Impact likes to describe the ambitious new building project. When he speaks of an architectural re-imagination, he emphasizes that the Forum building creates a new meeting point on the campus, a vibrant centre of university life. A new "campus plaza" with a recreational area will emerge in the open space between the Forum and the large lecture hall buildings X, R and A. Anyone getting off the bus or parking at the northern car park will automatically pass by the building and feel invited in by its architecture.
On the outside, it resembles a Rubik's cube, a "magic" cube with staggered levels. But the real magic lies within. Up to now, the university has not had such a central location for connecting science and society: Here, researchers and start-up founders from the university will meet project partners from industry and society. Here, exhibitions and conferences will be held, bringing together researchers and the general public. And here is where international guests will be welcomed to inspiring conferences, or simply to have dinner and exchange ideas. In short: Forum Konstanz embodies the university's institutional concept "creative.together" – it is the building for the mission.
Tour of the building
Now let's take a look at what's hidden inside. Our tour begins in front of the building, a spacious area between the new building and the workshop building, the forest and the campus, with seating areas surrounded by greenery. Wide atriums provide a view of the interior, as does the glass façade. If you now enter the building, you will be greeted by a bright foyer with a striking social staircase. This atrium links the different areas of the Forum – and it is where students, researchers and the public can come together, exchange ideas and linger. The foyer provides space for fairs and exhibitions, receptions and catering for large conferences and other events. It unfolds as an open, inviting space, filled with light and warm wood accents.
Another highlight of the Forum is the large event room. This multifunctional space of 450 square metres can be flexibly extended using movable walls. Combined with the foyer, it provides an ideal location for large conferences and meetings, regular exhibitions, presentations, workshops and so much more. More event rooms are located one level up. Since they are also connected to the restaurant and catering area via elevators, food and drink can easily be served there, too.
The Forum building will have four areas: (1) space for research and research infrastructure, (2) space for innovation and transfer platforms (especially start-ups), (3) space for the exchange between science and society and (4) meeting places. The different areas are divided in several levels, lying on top of each other like "interlocking blocks".
Interdisciplinary collaborative research
Let's continue our tour on the two basement levels of the Forum. These levels are entirely dedicated to research and will house three core facilities. These are central large laboratories and equipment centres available to all researchers: The Nanostructure Laboratory (nano.lab), the Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC) and the Particle Analysis Centre (PAC).
Research teams often have large overlaps in the use of equipment. By housing labs in one spot, we foster collaboration across the university’s core research areas, such as our Collaborative Research Centres. For example, in the field of electron and ion microscopy, the nano.lab, EMC and PAC can be seen as complementary laboratories that are fundamental for the university's research priorities in the natural sciences. Locating these core facilities close to each other creates synergies and simplifies work processes: It will no longer be necessary to transport sensitive samples between different buildings. Researchers share the equipment, and new acquisitions are made in such a way that all three core facilities and the natural sciences departments benefit greatly from the investments. It is advantageous both for users and the operation of the core facilities if complementary equipment can be found under one roof, more devices are available and maintenance and training, too, can be coordinated more efficiently.
These laboratory areas are supplemented by flexible-use laboratories on the first basement level that are intended especially for early career researchers and will enable them to conduct their independent research projects. The rooms can be configured to individual requirements without expansive reorganization measures and are complemented by nearby office areas. A great plus factor, of course, is the proximity to the core facilities. In addition, the laboratories are organized as communicative 'lab landscapes' to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
The wide atriums in front of the Forum bring light into the underground laboratory wing. Glass walls – where possible – allow Forum visitors to get authentic insights into everyday research.
The Forum Konstanz is creating a new hub on campus. The new building is being constructed next to workshop building W, with direct access to the central bus station.
Start-ups, catering and a studio
Our next tour stop is just below the roof. The upper floors not only offer a phenomenal view of the campus and the surrounding landscape, but, most importantly, an entire level specifically for transfer projects, especially for the university's start-ups. Start-up founders can use office spaces and rooms to realize their project ideas. Meeting rooms are right next door. The idea behind this is, of course, mutual exchange: When start-up founders develop their products in the Forum, they have direct access to research institutions as well as to exhibition and presentation facilities – an ideal environment for new impetuses.
Having become quite hungry from so many impressions, we continue on to the restaurant: Situated in the building's top third, it features an outdoor terrace and provides scenic views of lush greenery. Here you can enjoy time with guests and colleagues in a pleasant, refined setting. Storage rooms for catering for conferences and major events are also available on the same level.
After a few refreshments, we make our way to the last stop on the tour: the multifunctional studio. The film and radio studio can be used for creative media work, for example for live broadcasts with news channels. The acoustics for recording press interviews with researchers are excellent, and the finished television and radio contributions can be directly transmitted to the newsrooms. Alternative uses for the studio space are also currently being considered: Just like the entire Forum, the studio is an open toolbox for a variety of purposes.
Ready for something new
Forum Konstanz will be the new gateway to the university. Its central location and striking architecture make it the perfect starting point for experiencing the university. The Forum will be a hub of campus life and a beacon to all with a passion for research and science. Upon arrival at the University of Konstanz, it will be the first port of call, while showcasing our research, teaching and vibrant culture of ideas.
The Forum expands the campus area significantly, paving the way for future visions. As existing research infrastructure relocates to the new building, the campus gains breathing space, opening the door to fresh concepts. The "architectural re-imagination" allows us to rethink the university to a certain extent.
Curious now? That is exactly the goal of Forum Konstanz: "The Forum is designed to ignite curiosity – about the university, about research and about sharing ideas", emphasizes Dirk Leuffen. It is to become a place where we present our research to the public, where international guests are welcomed and, last but not least, where the people of Konstanz enjoy coming. Construction work is underway; the opening is planned for summer 2030.
Forum Konstanz in facts and figures
- Floor space of 5,470 square metres
- Nine levels, two of which are underground
- Multifunctional event room with 450 square metres, adjustable through movable walls
- Three core facilities
- Photovoltaic systems on the roof and façade
- 100 new outdoor bicycle parking spaces
- Construction costs: around 114 million euros
- Financed by a matching fund between the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Hector-Stiftung II and the University of Konstanz
- Scheduled opening in summer 2030