The New Building

a architect(s)

18 Firm

Kühnl + Schmidt Architekten BDA, Karlsruhe

19 Project Architect

Jutta Becker-Lutzy, Landesbetrieb LBB Mainz

20 Type of project

new building

b aims of the new building

21 Short description of the main objectives and purposes of the project

The new building for the Social sciences links the Philosophicum with the Central Library and is an important milestone in the urban development of the Gutenberg Campus. This building complex, which bears the name of the Mainz naturalist and librarian Georg Forster, promises a sustained improvement of the limited conditions for research and teaching, to further develop and harness the great potential of the Humanities and Social sciences in Mainz.

c special features

22 Site

The new building was built between the existing structures of Philosophicum and University Library. It was perceived as a connecting link in design and height.

23 Architecture

The shape of the new building takes on the form of the atrium of the Faculty of Arts and supplements it with an elevated U-shaped structure towards Jakob-Welder-Weg. The connection to the adjacent building pursues the functional aspects of buildings usage.

The northern elevation of the new building received a brick facade similar to the facade of the Faculty of Arts. The elevated Seminar building facing the new central square received a hanging glass panel facade - in three shades of green.

The library is an "Open Space Library" with floor area of around 3,850 m² in two floors. The two levels are connected with an open space and also exposed to an inner green courtyard. "Latches" in different length and width characterize the design of the southern new building´s facade.

The roof over the open space of the library was designed with light bars (skylights) and planting bars.

This geometrically designed inner garden continues in the „graphical“ design of external facilities.