Universität Duisburg-Essen (Campus Duisburg)

Universität Duisburg-Essen is an ensemble of buildings of which the very first were built as early as 1968, viz., those for the then Duisburg department of Pädagogische Hochschule Ruhr (teacher training college): the sports, music and arts seminar building, the Auditorium Maximum, the dining hall and the library with washed concrete facades.
In 1972, the ZPL, the Zentrale Planungsstelle für die Rationalisierung von Landesbauten (central planning office for the economisation of state-owned buildings) submitted a study featuring 16-storey buildings to expand the university. However, only one of these buildings has ever been built. The library had also been planned by the ZPL as an octagonal network structure, “adjustable” to the adjacent buildings through its staggered height. A central five-storey building with inner courtyards forms the centre of this complex.
When expanding the university at Mülheimer Straße a new concept was used. The 23 round buildings are characterised by their “humanised” architecture, in contrast to the previously preferred high-rise buildings.
Passage ways underneath the round brick buildings open up the campus toward the local Kaiserberg recreation area. The buildings were primarily made round to make for short distances and thus better working conditions. A good lighting, column-free rooms and hallways and differentiated facilities characterise the round buildings’ interior design.
The thus far latest structure of the ensemble is the new main dining hall with its artfully designed staircase.

Author: Editorial baukunst-nrw
Last changed on 17.07.2024

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Architecture » Public Buildings » Universities