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Educational physics laboratory “Light & Schools”, University of Hamburg

Project Panel

  • Clients

  • User

  • Effective Area

    635 m²
  • Floor Area

    1.068 m²
  • Floor Volume

    4.750 m³
  • Completion

    2020
  • Awards

    Deutscher Hochschulbaupreis 2022 | Recognition
    best architects 22 | winner
    BDA Hamburg Preis 2022 | Special Mention
    Bauwerk des Jahres 2020 I AIV e.V. Hamburg
    Design Educates Awards 2022 | Honorable Mention
    DAM Preis für Architektur 2022 I Longlist
    Architekturpreis Beton 2023 | Shortlist
    DGNB Certification | Silver
  • Photos

    Werner Huthmacher

By establishing the educational laboratory for physics, Light & Schools, located at the entrance to the research campus Bahrenfeld, a place was created with the intent of raising young people’s awareness for technical and scientific questions, or at best, even fill them with enthusiasm for the topic.

Nearly ten years ago the educational laboratory was founded by laser physicist, Prof Klaus Sengstock, in order to build bridges between schools and the university, between research and teaching. The new building now provides a place where the direct relevance of physics for everyday life can be experienced.

The new building for the University of Hamburg is, in contrast to the other faculties of the research campus, a small urban intervention. However, the prominent location at the Luruper Chaussee entrance to the campus allows for the building to be a new urban landmark. The new building now provides a place where the direct relevance of physics for everyday life can be experienced.

 

  • The modern equipment in the laboratories invites visitors to explore and research, giving them the opportunity to look into the ways scientists think and how experimental work is done. Here, people can get a literal grip on high technology. The inviting architecture reduces barriers – between disciplines and in one’s own head.

  • Grouped around a central core are several laser measuring rooms, seminar rooms and practical-training rooms for the experiments carried out by the physics students and the pupils, as well as a common seminar area.

  • The entrance platform, detached from the ground, forms an encompassing base and bench – an identity-generating place of arrival and of transition as well as a place for taking a break, whilst in the background the latest laser technology can be seen through the windows.

  • The floor-to-ceiling, glazed façade confines the space, like an immaterial enveloping band. The colours of the surroundings are reflected here, drawing in the outside spaces. The transparent design allows views out to the adjoining forests and neighbouring institutes but also between the laboratories and seminar spaces.

  • A single-storey building, which appears to be floating, made of cantilevered exposed concrete, opens invitingly towards the street, rousing the curiosity of the passers-by. Serving as a “showcase” for the sciences it offers glimpses of its diverse programme of activities from the outside.

The entrance platform, detached from the ground, forms an encompassing base and bench, for arriving, coming together and taking a break.

The space in front of the building is marked by two old pine trees, which were integrated into the building’s composition as elements of structuring and defining spaces.

»We planned the building around the existing trees – this does of course require an enthusiastic client, but conscientiousness on the side of the contractors is essential too. This could only be achieved through a joint effort!«

Markus Hammes

Location

Educational physics laboratory “Light & Schools”, University of Hamburg

EducationScience
  • Luruper Chausee 149
  • 22761 Hamburg
  • Deutschland

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