Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin

Stepping into the world of genetics and human history, we find ourselves at the Institute of Anthropology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. This modern, two-story building, completed in 2013, houses a unique DNA tracing laboratory and a lecture hall for 150 students. The Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin, nestled on the edge of the botanical gardens, represents a seamless blend of classic architectural principles and cutting-edge design. Its structure echoes the lines of neighboring buildings while incorporating sustainable practices. The Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to forward-thinking design. Back in 2006, the Landesbetrieb Bau und Liegenschaften (LBB) in Landau initiated the design. This initial concept was refined in close collaboration with anthropology professors and those from the university’s medical department. The result is a building tailored to the specific needs of its users. In 2010, Bernhardt und Partner Architects took over the project. Together with Werner Sobek Frankfurt, they revised the original design. They implemented a highly efficient energy concept. The Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin boasts a passive house design, remarkable for a laboratory building with high air exchange rate requirements. Key to this energy efficiency are high-performance heat exchangers, working at 80% efficiency. The compact building structure minimizes the surface area to volume ratio. This minimizes heat loss. Dense insulation throughout further enhances energy performance. This includes a 50cm thick glass foam gravel base, 30cm thick wall insulation, and 60cm of cellulose insulation in the roof. Triple-glazed windows complete the thermal envelope. The building also benefits from a pre-existing connection to a combined heat and power plant. A mechanically controlled ventilation system ensures optimal air quality, supported by cooling ceilings in specific areas. Furthermore, photovoltaic modules on the roof generate 10.5 kWh/a of electricity, contributing to the building’s impressive energy balance. The Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin nearly fulfills the “Net Zero Energy Building Standards” set by the EU for 2021. It has rightly earned recognition. The project received the Architekturpreis Energie 2013, an award presented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Climate Protection, Energy and Regional Planning of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Chamber of Architects of Rhineland-Palatinate. This building, the Anthropologie / Universitätsmedizin, is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a hub of scientific discovery, where the past meets the future.