Second construction phase
The second construction phase
Immediately after the completion of the first construction phase of the modernisation of the university's main building (expected in early summer 2024) and the subsequent occupation of the renovated space, the second construction phase is scheduled to begin. The second construction phase concerns sections T, L and C of the main university building.
Information on the current planning status
Transition between first and second construction phase
In order to be able to start work on the second construction phase, the affected parts of the building must first be completely cleared and technically disconnected from the rest of the main university building (e.g. electricity, heating). To make this possible, the users currently located in the second construction phase must first move. Some of the users will move to the first construction phase, which will then be completed. This is expected to be the case from summer 2024. Several months have been factored in for the move, meaning that work on the second construction phase is expected to begin at the start date of 2025.
The University Hall during the second construction phase
As the second construction phase involves sections T, L and C, the renovation work will also pass through the hall. A passageway will connect the old and new sections and enable passage between the first construction phase and the rest of the main university building. The concept of the university hall with shops, catering and swimming pool will remain outside the construction site area. The central open-plan toilet facilities can continue to be used.
Teaching areas
The Lecture Halls and seminar rooms that will be removed in the second construction phase will be compensated for by the rooms in the first construction phase (including the Audimax) and the additional teaching space created in the Y-building.
Access to the library
The central entrance to the university library will be located in the first construction phase. The BLB NRW has erected an interim building between the UHG and the X building for the library space in the second construction phase. This building will contain the departmental library of Linguistics and Literary Studies (currently UHG Building C) for the project duration of the second construction phase. The holdings of the departmental libraries of the Faculties of Psychology, Educational Science, Sport and Music (currently UHG unit T) will remain elsewhere in the main university building.
Completion of the second construction phase
After completion of the second construction phase, several Faculties, parts of the administration and the library will move into the modernised space. Initial discussions with future users about the specific wishes and needs of their respective faculties and departments have already taken place and are being incorporated into the planning.
FAQ on the construction site and the further course of the 2nd construction phase
- What steps are necessary for the construction site installation of the 2nd construction phase?
The construction site installation, which is scheduled to last around eight months, is very extensive. The external work, which has been ongoing since May 2025, includes moving into the containers on the university meadow for construction logistics and creating access routes for construction vehicles and foundations for future cranes. Inside, the heating and power supply for the 2nd construction phase will be separated from the rest of the building. In addition, construction partition walls will be erected and a new passageway will be created between the refurbished entrance area and the rest of the university hall.
- What is the status of the construction site in summer 2025?
Since May 2025, BLB NRW has been preparing the isolation of the 2nd construction phase, which is important for the upcoming pollutant clean-up. The separation of the so-called "black area" by means of structural measures and technical precautions prevents, among other things, the spread of pollutants. Work will begin on the upper levels C+T and work from top to bottom. At the same time, preparatory work is being carried out to create the connecting corridor in the Central Hall, in particular closing the ceiling panel at bridge L and in the Löwengang area in the UB continuum. In addition to the complete separation of the construction site area from university operations using partition walls, all lines (heat, electricity, etc.) must be cut or rerouted in the coming months to ensure the supply to the rest of the building.
- Which of the works are particularly noisy?
Moderately noisy work is to be expected during the construction site installation, including milling work to remove pollutants, core drilling for the separation of components, the closure of the bridge L ceiling field and the crane foundation. Noise-intensive work will be postponed to lecture-free periods where possible.
- When will the planned passageway above the main entrance stairs into the university hall be passable?
- Is accessibility between the 1st BA and the rest of the university hall within the building guaranteed at all times?
- When will the construction work in the area of the university hall be completed?
- What will happen after the construction site installation in the 2nd construction phase?
The coming winter semester 2025/26 will still be predominantly characterised by the necessary insulation of the 2nd construction phase, i.e. work on the construction site partition walls and securing the electricity and heat supply to the existing building. Once the construction site installation has been completed, the next year will see the removal of harmful substances and the demolition of the areas in the 2nd construction phase from top to bottom. The glass roof in the university hall will be dismantled and replaced, and the façades will also be renovated. The interior work will follow at the end of the 2nd construction phase.
- What precautions will be taken to minimise disruption to university operations during the 2nd construction phase?
The basic aim is to minimise the impact of the construction work on ongoing university operations by setting up component separation and buffer zones in the border areas. All work in the ongoing process will be carried out in close coordination between the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW and representatives of the university. Particularly noisy work will be postponed to the semester holidays where possible.
- How long will the work on the 2nd construction phase take in total?