Third Area of Construction
The Third Area of Construction
The planning phase for the third area of construction of the main university building has started. Covering around 82,000 m² of usable space, it comprises the U and V building blocks, including the longitudinal building and bridge M. Among other things, laboratories and workshops for the Faculties of Physics and Biology are to be built in this area to meet the latest requirements. The planning and construction phase of the 3rd construction area is expected to take a total of nine years. Construction is planned to take place directly after the second construction phase.
Information on the current planning status
Challenges of the third construction phase
The modernisation of the natural science laboratories for the Faculties of Biology and Physics cannot be implemented predominantly in the existing building as in the previous construction phases. Due to technical installations, modern laboratories must have a much higher ceiling. For the first time, it will therefore be necessary not only to modernise units at the university, but to build completely new ones. The third construction phase will once again significantly exceed the previous renovation phases of the main university building in terms of volume and complexity. The refurbishment will again take place during current university operations.
Significance for the overall refurbishment
The new construction of the laboratory infrastructure for the natural sciences subjects in the third construction phase is a decisive step for the future viability of research at Bielefeld University in these disciplines. The third construction phase is therefore a particularly challenging and important stage in the overall refurbishment of the main university building. The necessary new building should fit in well architecturally with the "old" university in order to preserve the unique character of the university building.
About the "IPA" planning process
The client for the refurbishment is the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB NRW). It has announced that it will realise the large and very complex construction project using the partnership model of Integrated Project Management (IPA). The idea behind it: A project alliance consisting of various equal partners agrees on joint objectives for planning and construction. The project alliance assumes joint responsibility for meeting these targets and benefits together when the construction project is realised as agreed. Construction logistics are to be optimised by the fact that the various parties involved in construction - BLB NRW, the architects and specialist planners as well as the construction companies involved - act together as a team across company boundaries and identify with the project. Further information can be found at: https://www.blb.nrw.de/presse/pressemeldungen/pressedetails/kooperation-statt-konkurrenz
Involvement of Bielefeld University in the planning process
As a user, Bielefeld University is significantly involved in the planning and construction of the 3rd area of construction. Among other things, the specific requirements of the university are to be taken into account at an early stage in the planning process. The description of what is important to the university for the natural sciences is incorporated as a "mission statement" into the process managed by BLB NRW and forms a criterion for the subsequent selection of alliance partners.
Participation and communication
In December 2024 and January 2025, the project managers from BLB NRW and the university will hold initial workshops with selected architectural firms to develop the mission statement. In the interests of transparency, other members of the university (including the Deans of the Faculties concerned, representatives of the committees and departments involved) were invited to take part in the planning process that has now started and contribute their perspectives and ideas. The aim of the university management is to regularly inform all members of the university about the progress and milestones of the planning process (e.g. the results of the workshop).