Communication Encouraged

A new seminar building in Bochum serves teachers and students as a space for experimentation and collaborative learning

Since 2019, students from the architecture and civil engineering departments at Bochum University of Applied Sciences have been preparing for their professional careers in a new seminar building. The foundation stone was laid in 2013, when NRW Building and Real Estate Management in Dortmund—acting as client and owner—launched a design competition for a master planner. The challenge was clear: foster intensive collaboration between departments, transforming a "side-by-side" arrangement into genuine teamwork. To achieve this, the building needed to break down the traditional barriers of separate offices and isolated seminar rooms. Network Architects from Darmstadt prevailed among 24 competitors and went on to realize the project as master planners.

The new seminar building is positioned parallel to the BlueBox on Lennershofstraße, with a vibrant public square created between them. This plaza offers an inviting atmosphere and serves as the gateway to both structures. Beyond its primary function, it works equally well as an outdoor study area, a spontaneous meeting point between classes, or an event space. A diagonal pathway connects the square to the public transit hub to the north, ensuring seamless connectivity. The light-filled structure rises six stories and is organized into two distinct zones. The west side houses the individual faculty offices in a compact layout. To the east, seminar rooms cascade upward, connected by a soaring multi-story atrium complete with stairs and communication platforms. These platforms function as extended teaching and research spaces while naturally evolving into gathering zones that spark dialogue and idea exchange. The structural system mirrors this spatial logic: the western office block employs efficient flat slabs and a regular column grid, while the eastern facade facing the square is held by a net-like structure that visually represents the interconnected disciplines and symbolizes the combined strength of both departments. A central atrium staircase is complemented by two escape stairwells at the ends. Beyond natural window ventilation, the seminar rooms feature a central ventilation system meeting heightened AMEV standards. In summer, this system enables nighttime cooling of the thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency. The building connects to the campus district heating network.

www.netzwerkarchitekten.de