Extensive construction work will begin on Albertus Magnus Platz on Wednesday, 5 March, all phases of which will continue up until the autumn of 2026. The renovation work will cover the area of the university 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 construction costs amounting to an estimated 12.6 million euros will be born proportionately by the university and the City according to the area in which construction is due to take place. For the university, this will add up to 9.6 million euros. The construction measures will be managed by the university of Cologne. 

The work has become necessary as a result of the building of the bicycle garage in 2021 and the need for renovation of the adjacent bicycle paths. 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. As the central campus of the university, the square is not only a hub in terms of internal university traffic but also a meeting place in terms of connecting with the local neighbourhood and a place of communication and learning. The construction work is therefore also aimed at improving the livability of the entire space.

To start with, an area to the west of the square will be cordoned off directly in front of the Philosophikum. By the first quarter of 2026, the part of the square between the Philosophikum and the lecture hall should be completed. In the second construction phase, the ‘bridge deck’ over Universitätsstraße will be renewed as far as the main building. In order to ensure that disruption to learning and research is kept to a minimum during this period, the barricading will only affect certain parts of the square at a time. Building activities will also be planned so that examination phases are accounted for.

With regard to the construction start, Rector of the University of Cologne, Professor Dr Joybrato Mukherjee, said: “Albertus Magnus Platz between the main building, the lecture hall and the Philosophikum represents the University of Cologne and is its central meeting point. Its renovation marks the start of realizing our 2040 masterplan for the structural development of the university. The municipal part of the square passes above Universitätsstraße and thus also stands for our close connection to the city. I’d like to thank the City for supporting us in this key project.”

Karsten Gerlof, Chancellor of the University of Cologne, said: “As the square is such a significant meeting place for the university, we already began last year to improve its appearance in the interim with plant pots, a sun shade and seating areas. These have been very favourably received. By redesigning the square in the long term, the university and the City of Cologne are now aiming to adapt it to meet the modern needs of students and teaching staff as well as people living within the neighbourhood, but also to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are guided safely across it.”

The square’s redesign has been provided by the Studiogrüngrau firm of architects. Approximately 9,500 square metres of the central campus square will be laid with Grauwacke, a hard sandstone originating from the low mountainous region not far from Cologne.  The natural stone is ideal for areas with heavy traffic and is frost resistant, non-slip, and easy to maintain and keep clean. A sustainable form of the stone will be used, which is regionally produced. This stone has already been installed in several locations in Cologne and proved its worth.

Bench structures with high backs are planned for the bridge railings to the north and south of the square, which are also designed to function as shields against the noise of the traffic. Already integrated within Albertus Magnus Platz is the completed underground bicycle garage, which will be overbuilt. The existing pavilion at the entrance to the garage will also become part of the design, this including two small catering establishments which serve members of the university.

In addition to the newly refurbished sections of the university boulevard, the western side of Universitätsstraße along the edges of the square will also be remodelled. Part of the ringroad at the northern end of the square is included in the design and will be constructed using coloured tarmac, which will match the tone of the Grauwacke. The cycle paths will be made visible across the whole area of the square by means of a different stone pattern.

The square will be constructed on two levels: a lower level at the western end in front of the Philiosophikum and a higher level for the rest of the square. There will be a broad ramp stairway to bridge the difference in height between the two levels. In addition, an accessibility ramp will lead to the lower level in front of the Philosophikum on the southern side, and there will be a further set of stairs connected to the guidance system on the ground.

Future-proof tree varieties are planned for the overbuilt area above the garage and the two generous raised beds will be used at the same time as a seating platform. Multi-stemmed trees will be selected with a wide crown to provide an appealing green communication space that will offer shade in summer, and the trees will be underplanted with perennials and grasses.

Three works of art positioned between the Philosophikum and the lecture hall will be features of interest: The part of the artwork by the artist Jürgen Hans Grümmer which is directly in front of the lecture hall will be restored during the construction work. The section in front of the main building will be replaced. Inspired by Grümmer’s design, a new artwork will be provided by the artist Martin Pfeifle in three-dimensional form. The column of the sculptor Ulrich Rückriem, which has currently been removed in preparation for the imminent construction work, will be reinstalled in the square. The ‘Stolper-Steine’ (Holocaust remembrance stones), will be returned to their original locations and integrated within the new paving.
 

Press and Communications Team:
Dr Elisabeth Hoffmann 
+49 221 470 2202
+49 151 72808840
e.hoffmannverw.uni-koeln.de