Handover of the renovated workshop and laboratory wing to the RWU

After two years of construction, the renovated workshop and laboratory wing of the RWU main building was handed over to the university. This marks the completion of the largest construction project in the last 20 years. 12.3 million euros were invested. In addition to the renewal of the ventilation system, energy renovation and fire protection measures were implemented, among other things. "Such an investment is a clear commitment by the state government to Weingarten as a university location," said Baden-Württemberg Minister of Social Affairs Manne Lucha at the handover of the keys on 14 July.

The need to renew the ventilation in the main building had already been identified in 2013. The subsequent investigations showed that there was still a need for further action: in the building, which was put into operation in 1982, renovations had to be realised in terms of pollutants, fire protection and energy efficiency, explained Thomas Pehle, Head of the Building Construction Department at the Amt für Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg in Ravensburg and responsible for the building project at the university in Weingarten.

Committed to the climate goals of the state government

According to Thomas Pehle, the most important and above all courageous decision for all this was to build a new technical storey on top of the existing building. The new ventilation system is now located on this floor. In addition, this made it possible to use the entire area with photovoltaic systems.

Social Affairs Minister Manne Lucha, himself a RWU graduate, emphasised the importance of this measure in achieving the university's climate goals. "As a state university, you are showing here that you are committed to the climate goals of the state government. Your research and teaching contribute to shaping this transformation process. A university always provides direction and orientation," said Lucha. The goals set are ambitious and optimistic, but both are important, especially today.

Reconstruction during ongoing university operations

According to Thomas Pehle, a major challenge in the project was to build during ongoing university operations. Noise pollution was not to interfere too much with teaching. It had to be possible to continue operating the machines in the workshops and laboratories. "Building is always a bit of an adventure," says Pehle. The fact that they stayed on time and within budget under these circumstances was remarkable.

Thomas Pehle explained that he, his team and the construction management were particularly proud of some aspects. For example, the modern stretch-metal façade, in which the RWU logo was implemented. The evaporative cooling works to 90 per cent through a natural process. The formerly relatively dark rooms and corridors are now bright and open, a tactile guidance system and light guidance facilitate orientation and increase accessibility.

"We need a centre for sustainable development"

RWU Rector Professor Dr Thomas Spägele expressed his gratitude for the investment and the work that has been done. "Our task is to shape the future. To this end, we invite the brightest minds from the region and around the world to study here and, above all, to stay here," said the RWU Rector. "For the visibility and attractiveness necessary for this, not only modern teaching content is necessary, but also especially well-equipped and contemporary structural conditions."

The Rector's thanks went to the Amt für Vermögen und Bau and, in particular, to its recently retired head Hermann Zettler. "This measure bears your signature," said Spägele. "It is extraordinary the passion with which you have committed yourself to the RWU over all these years.

To have a future, Spägele said, challenges must be met. In addition to demography, he said, this was the issue of climate. And at this point he was already looking ahead again in terms of university buildings: "We need a bonfire of sustainability, we need a centre for sustainable development. All our faculties are represented there, including the social sciences. Young people need to develop and test ideas there and tell us what needs to be done."

Text: Christoph Oldenkotte

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