Diggers, construction cranes and concrete mixers are currently determining the look of many areas of the university and it will remain like this for some time. “In the next ten years it is planned that 200 million euros will be invested in new buildings and a further 150 million in renovations,” says the Director of Finance and Administration of the University of Bremen, Dr. Martin Mehrtens.

The university needs new buildings as it is bursting at the seams – despite all creative attempts to counteract the shortage of space. What’s more, this shortage is also proving to be very expensive as the university currently has to pay rent for about 40,000 square meters.

BIOM: Optimum Research Infrastructure

The construction of the new teaching and research building BIOM for the Biology department on the James-Watt-Straße, North West of the university boulevard is already well underway. This is due to be completed by the winter semester 2021/22. With 6,000 square meters, the building will offer room for 1,000 students and 100 employees. A new building was needed as the old natural sciences building (NW2) stems from the 1970s and no longer fulfils current requirements for research and teaching in biology. “State-of-the-art laboratories and facilities in the BIOM will create the ideal working conditions and strengthen the outstanding and internationally-orientated research and teaching profile of the University of Bremen,” explains the Director of Finance and Administration of the University of Bremen.

New Building to Strengthen Marine Research

Building work for the new center for deep sea research (Zentrum für Tiefseeforschung – ZfT) near to the MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences of the University of Bremen – is also due to commence soon. The cost of 38 million euros for the project with an effective area of approximately 4,000 square meters will be shared between the federal government and the state. The funds also include costs for a remote-controlled diving robot for work up to a water depth of 5,000 meters. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.

Five New Lecture Halls

A major building project is being planned for the central campus area – a new lecture hall and event center (HVZ) will be built directly on the university boulevard and next to the NW2, in front of the GEO building. The winning design of the architectural contest incorporates a compact yet light-flooded building which, with eight stories, is orientated to the height of the Mehrzweckhochhaus (MZH). This will offer room for five lecture halls, one faculty and offices. Construction begin is planned for 2021, the 50th jubilee of the University of Bremen. In order to make the construction of the new building possible, there will be considerable rebuilding work undertaken on the Boulevard.

Redevelopments Gather Pace

Extensive and urgently-needed redevelopment projects can now also finally start. Alongside the structural restoration of the NW2 building on the boulevard, the renovation of the MZH with its striking red building front is also due to start in the next three years. The Natural Sciences 1 (NW1) and Humanities and Liberal Arts 1 (GW1) buildings on the Universitätsallee are also planned to be renovated by 2023 at a cost of six to seven million euros each.

The Future Is in Sight

If the University of Bremen is to continue growing, it is well-prepared for it. Two areas on the Robert-Hooke-Straße are planned for use as possible expansion areas. The site here, in the direct vicinity of the Bremen Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH (BIBA) and the Engineering Sciences 3 (IW3) building, could offer space for new institute buildings. An area south of the Barbara-McClintock-Straße, not far from NW1, would offer space for a new natural sciences building.