Laborgebäude Botanik

What secrets do the walls of the Laborgebäude Botanik whisper? This unassuming building, nestled within the grounds of the former children’s clinic on Soldmannstraße, holds a legacy that stretches back to the 18th century. The Laborgebäude Botanik isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to Greifswald’s rich botanical history. It represents a new era for the Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology. For years, the institute was scattered across Greifswald. Imagine the botanists and landscape ecologists, their work fragmented and their collaborations strained by distance. Then, in 2015, the Laborgebäude Botanik opened its doors. The building brought these brilliant minds together under one roof. This new laboratory and practice building, completed in April 2015, finally provided the much-needed space for excellent research and teaching. The Laborgebäude Botanik shares its space with the Zoological Institute and Museum. This proximity fosters collaboration and sparks innovation. The building itself is a marvel of modern design, incorporating sustainable features like a photovoltaic system on the roof. The clever window design maximizes natural light while minimizing heat gain. Even the courtyard features an art installation, three wooden sculptures symbolizing botany, zoology, and collection. This art piece invites contemplation and sparks conversation amongst the students and scientists who frequent the space. The Laborgebäude Botanik also represents a continuation of Greifswald’s distinguished botanical tradition. Great botanists like Erich Leick, Robert Bauch, Heinrich Borriss, Werner Rothmaler, Franz Fukarek, and Michael Succow have all contributed to the institute’s prestige. Their legacy lives on within these walls, inspiring future generations of botanists.