The University of Cologne is busy constructing: new science buildings are being erected while existing buildings are undergoing renovation and new, energy-saving technologies are being installed. We’ll be publishing updates on new and ongoing projects in the BauBlog, your one-stop source for information on all the university’s construction initiatives.

The University of Cologne is continuing to implement its sustainability strategy: a photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed on the roofs of the new physics laboratory building and the former COPT building on Luxemburger Strasse.

Not only will the sun be shining on the roof of the laboratory building of the institutes of physics, it will also ensure that electricity is flowing from the sockets inside. The company Vopro GmbH has just installed the last modules of the photovoltaic system. Now the system just needs to be connected to the power supply. The 224 modules there will have an output of 100 kWp (kilowatt peak) and will generate 90,000 kWh/a of electricity per year about 20 times as much as a family of four consumes on average per year. The system costs around 105,000 euros (gross) and is scheduled to go into operation during the summer.

A second PV system on the roof of the former COPT building (Building 315) on Luxemburger Strasse will cost 80,000 euros and generate around 68,400 kWh/a of electricity per year with an output of 76 kilowatt peak. The plant with 172 modules will also go into operation during the summer. 

By gradually replacing fossil fuel-based electricity sources, the university is achieving one of its key sustainability goals: to reduce CO₂ and switch to climate-neutral options on campus.

With the new systems due to be erected on the buildings of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the university's use of self-generated electricity will increase once again compared to the system on the Philosophikum building: A medium-voltage ring will allow the residual electricity to be fed into the local grid, enabling the other buildings in the Faculty to benefit directly from solar power and increasing the degree of self-sufficiency of the power supply.

The photovoltaic system destined for the roof of the former COPT building on the corner of Eifelwall and Luxemburger Strasse will be powering something special in future: At the suggestion of the researchers, a nitrogen generator was installed in May to produce nitrogen locally for research purposes. For the first time, research undertaken at the university will have the direct benefit of sustainable electricity generation.

The renovation of Albertus-Magnus-Platz is in full swing. What are the plans and when will construction be completed? 

Albertus-Magnus-Platz has been undergoing renovation for about a month now. The renovation work will cover the university square between the Arts and Humanities building (Philosophikum) and the main building, including the area directly above Universitätsstraße, which belongs to the city of Cologne. The university is aiming to give the central campus a cohesive feel and look, designing a space that meets all of the city's transport needs and also invites people to relax and enjoy the area. With extensive seating options and additional greenery in raised beds, the square will have an inviting and modern appearance. As part of the central campus, the square is a hub for student traffic and a meeting place where people can connect with the local neighbourhood, as well as a place for conversation and learning. The construction work is therefore also aimed at improving the quality of experience throughout the entire space. The city’s bridge construction, on which a part of the Albertus Magnus Platz rests, will also be reinforced and sealed in the course of the work. The work on the square became necessary following the construction of a bicycle garage and the restructuring of the adjacent areas in 2021.

Work already underway on the west side 

Construction work began last week with the closure of an area to the west of the square, directly in front of the Arts and Humanities building. The work on the part of the square between the Arts and Humanities building and the lecture hall is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. During the second construction phase, the bridge deck over Universitätsstraße will be replaced and extended as far as the main building. The square will be built on two levels: a lower level at the western end in front of the Arts and Humanities building, and an upper level covering the rest of the square. A broad ramp stairway will bridge the difference in height between the two levels of the square. An accessibility ramp will also lead to the lower level in front of the Arts and Humanities building on the southern side of the square, and a further set of stairs will be connected to the ground-level guidance system. The architectural firm Studiogrüngrau was the mastermind behind the square’s new design. Around 9,500 square metres of the central campus square will be paved with greywacke, a hard sandstone. The natural stone is ideal for high-traffic areas as it is frost-resistant, slip-resistant and easy to maintain and clean. It has also been used in various locations in Cologne. 

A place to relax and enjoy

The underground bicycle garage has already been completed and integrated into Albertus-Magnus-Platz; construction of the area above it is now underway. The existing pavilion at the garage entrance is also part of the design, and the university has partnered with two small businesses to provide catering services for students and faculty members. The new artwork by Martin Pfeifle and the two spacious raised flowerbeds will provide additional seating areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the surroundings. Multi-stemmed trees with wide crowns have been selected to create an appealing green space, offering a shady spot for conversation in summer. These trees will be underplanted with perennials, grasses and sustainable tree species.

In addition to the recently refurbished sections of the University Boulevard, the western side of Universitätsstraße, adjacent to the square, will also be remodelled. The design will also incorporate a section of the bypass road at the northern end of the square, which will be paved with coloured asphalt to match the greywacke. New boundary lines will make the cycle paths visible across the entire square.

What changes can be expected?

Benches with high backs are planned for the bridge railings to the north and south of the square. These will also function as noise barriers. The parking spaces on the northern bend will be removed to make room for this. During the construction work, construction lorries are expected to enter the square, and there will be a traffic light to regulate pedestrian traffic. To minimise disruption to learning and research during this period, only certain, specific parts of the square will be closed off at a time. Bicycles can therefore no longer be chained to the site fence. Construction times will also account for examination phases. Information regarding any barriers and obstructions that may affect users of the square will be communicated in good time via social media and by expresso.