University Campus Gießen

The design for the Philosophikum campus of Justus Liebig University Giessen proposes a merger of the Philosophikum I and II campus areas, which are completely separated from each other today. The forest campus theme is thereby embraced and reinterpreted.

Existing buildings together with the new buildings form an ensemble grouped around a common central open space. This open space will be the new heart of the university’s Philosophikum campus. As a spatial buckle, it connects the two halves of the campus across Rathenaustrasse. The campus extends over the entire competition area and is concentrated at the campus square (Forum). This lively plaza, surrounded by the highly frequented library, dining hall and seminar buildings, represents the new central address and communications centre of the Philosophikum campus. A grove of honey locust trees offers shady places to linger and a café populates the square.