Four months. That is all it took to erect the Modulbau Campus Nord. This building stands on the grounds of the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Human Sciences. Today, we explore this modern structure.
The Modulbau Campus Nord primarily houses offices, seminar rooms, and meeting spaces. Its four-story design ensures accessibility for all. The building’s facade blends seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. This includes the listed buildings of the 1950s and 60s.
The University of Cologne commissioned the Modulbau Campus Nord. Big Architekten und Ingenieure GmbH designed it. Construction costs totaled approximately 5.4 million EUR. The rapid construction was completed in November 2013.
The Modulbau Campus Nord offers about 1,700 square meters of usable space. The gross floor area measures around 2,900 square meters. The gross cubic content is approximately 10,132 cubic meters.
Nelly Biglari from the university’s construction management played a key role. She highlighted the advantages of having a single point of contact for the project. ALHO served as the general contractor. This streamlined the coordination of various trades.
The building’s design reflects the architectural style of Hans Schumacher. He designed the Pdagogische Akademie in 1957. The Modulbau Campus Nord integrates modern needs with the existing complex. Its clear structure and glazed facade harmonize with the surroundings.
The modular construction allowed for flexible room layouts. The design incorporates large, column-free spaces. Each floor features 90-square-meter seminar rooms. These are located at the northern ends. Central staircases, elevators, and kitchenettes provide convenience. Office spaces and meeting rooms fill the remaining areas.
Completing the Modulbau Campus Nord before the 2013/14 winter semester was a priority. Modular construction made this possible. Sixty modules were produced and assembled in two phases. This sped up the building process. The south half was erected first. Construction started while the remaining modules were completed. The north side was then finished. This method ensured minimal disruption.
Today, the Human Sciences and the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculties use the Modulbau Campus Nord. Students benefit from additional seminar rooms. The Modulbau Campus Nord stands as a testament to efficient and modern construction. It provides a valuable space for learning and collaboration at the University of Cologne. It showcases how modular design can meet contemporary needs while respecting architectural heritage.