Communications and Marketing

Campus getting greener: redesign has begun

Bauarbeiten Campus StA Entsiegelung 20240301 Foto Martin Schulz 06

Tuesday 27 February 2024

The frog-green bulldozers next to the C-building are an unmistakable sign: The sustainable transformation of the campus site in Sankt Augustin has begun. In the coming weeks and months, areas will be unsealed, flowerbeds laid out and trees planted. The area between the E building and the main entrance in particular will look completely new: a park-like area with trees and seating will be created here.

Construction work on the green redesign has begun on the bicycle stand opposite the E building. Photo: H-BRS

More trees, more green spaces, more seating, more amenities: the plans to redesign the campus grounds have far-reaching goals and affect many of the areas that are currently paved or otherwise sealed.

Work on the long-planned redesign of the Sankt Augustin Campus site is currently focusing on the bicycle rack opposite the E building. The old bike rack will be dismantled and replaced by a new one that is about twice the size. There will be leaning brackets for the bicycles. The lockable bicycle boxes are a new feature: A total of 20 will be created as part of the redesign. In line with the sustainable redesign, the new bicycle stand will have a green roof. Charging points for e-bikes are still available at the bicycle parking spaces on section C.

The old bicycle stand will be dismantled and replaced by a new one. Photo: H-BRS

As motorcycles can no longer be parked in the bicycle shelter in future, two to three car parking spaces will be rededicated for motorized two-wheelers.

The largest area to be given a new look is the central area between the E building and the main entrance. Most of the paving there will be removed. Planting areas and paths will be created, supplemented by seating niches. Seating will also be created on the triangle where the inductor has its traditional place. More trees than today will adorn the entrance to the university and provide shade

Sick trees are replaced

Together with the trees in the other areas to be redesigned, there will be significantly more trees on the campus site than there are today. When selecting the tree species, attention was paid to better adaptability to high summer temperatures. In individual cases, existing trees that have been damaged by drought in recent years will therefore be replaced.

The inner courtyard at the lecture hall center will also be much greener in the future. The area will be largely unsealed. Some of the trees in the inner courtyard will be replaced and additional trees will be added. The staircase to Building C will also be unsealed and planted. New seating with natural shade is planned for the patio.

The area between buildings C1 and C2 promises to be an idyllic green oasis. Hedges, shrubs, grasses and ferns in combination with gravel paths and loungers will invite you to linger and relax.

According to current information, the general construction work should be completed in August. Planting is planned for the fall.

Update 21 February 2024: The bicycle stand opposite the E building has now been dismantled and the removal of the concrete blocks on the forecourt has begun.

Umgestaltung Campus Vorplatz Bauteil E_Skizze Plan

The access route to the main entrance (pictured above) will be given an alley-like character by planted trees. Large parts of the forecourt will also be planted with greenery. Author of the plan: Stephan Muthig, landscape architect

Unsealing: implementation of the sustainability strategy

The unsealing of campus areas and their planting are concrete measures for implementing H-BRS's sustainability strategy. They relate to the area of action "Sustainability in infrastructure, governance and campus life". The aim is to create a "sustainable, liveable, climate-neutral and (climate) resilient campus" at all locations.

Die H-BRS-Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie