Renovation and Refurbishment of Bauhausstraße 11 Completed: »Kassenärztliche Vereinigung« Hands Building Back Over to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Faculty of Media
One semester earlier than planned, the owner of the building, the »Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Thüringen (KVT)«, will hand the building at Bauhausstraße 11 back over to its tenant, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, on Friday, 16 August, 2024 at 10:30 am. For over 25 years, the Faculty of Media has been home to the departments of Computer Science of Media and Media Studies, as well as the Faculty’s labs, seminar rooms and offices. Extensive renovations, including a new extension, on the building began in autumn of 2021 at the request of the KVT and in accordance with the building’s status. The renovations will provide modern and improved study and working conditions in the 2024/2025 winter semester.
Dr. Horst Henrici, Chancellor of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, as well as the 1st and 2nd Chairs of the »Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Thüringen«, Dr. Rommel and Dr. Schröter, will speak at the handover ceremony. The speeches will be followed by a ceremonial key handover by the KVT to representatives from the Faculty of Media and a welcome address by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Engell. The President of the University, Prof. Benz, representatives from the Ministerium für Wirstschaft, Wissenschaft und Digitale Gesellschaft (TMWWDG) and from the Faculty of Media, as well as members of the architectural firm and planning companies involved in the renovation will also be present.
Media representatives are warmly invited to attend the event:
Ceremonial Key Handover for Bauhausstraße 11
Time: Friday, 16 August 2024, 10:30 am
Location: Bauhausstraße 11, Ground Floor Lounge
Modernisation of the Original Building
The historically protected building at Bauhausstraße 11 was built in 1935. The extensive renovation and professional restoration took about two and a half years. The heating and electrical systems were also modernised. The remodelling of the restrooms made up a major part of the renovation. The building will be outfitted with several all-gender toilets. New windows have been installed throughout the building and floors were refurbished or replaced in accordance with building standards.
Accessibility and Functionality Thanks to Multi-Storey Addition
A single-storey extension had been added to the building and housed the two IT labs prior to the renovation. Because this more recent extension was not a protected building, it was demolished and a new multi-storey wing could be added. As part of the new extension, a lift has been added, making Bauhausstraße 11 almost completely wheelchair accessible. A new, large seminar room was built on the ground floor and will provide 150 square metres of space for nearly 80 students. The room will also be used for the university’s Senate meetings. A new server room, which meets the high-tech requirements of the Computer Science of Media Department, has been built in the basement.
Inner Courtyard Becomes Multifunctional Student Lounge
Another highlight is the former inner courtyard, which has been converted into a modern, multifunctional lounge and provides numerous seating areas, as well as flexible working and socialising spaces.
Commemorative Plaques Tell the Story of the Building’s Nazi History
Researchers from the Faculty of Media and the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism explored and analysed the history of the building in the KVT-funded project »Die Geschichte der Bauhausstraße 11. Auf dem Weg zum Erinnerungsort«. The building, which has been home to the Faculty of Media since 1997, was built between 1935 and 1936 on behalf of the »Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Deutschlands« for National Socialist purposes as the so-called »Ärztehaus Thüringen«. Along with the scientific analysis from an architectural-historical, medical-historical, and cultural-scientific perspective, four commemorative pieces were designed as part of the project, which addresses the Nazi history of the building and its role in Weimar and Thuringia. The KVT has designated the building as a commemorative site by installing the plaques.
For questions regarding the event, please contact the Chancellor's Office at +49 (0) 36 43/58 12 15 or via e- mail to kanzler[at]uni-weimar.de
For questions regarding the Faculty of Media, please contact Tina Meinhardt, Communications and Marketing, at +49 (0) 36 43/58 37 65 or via e- mail to tina.meinhardt[at]uni-weimar.de