Nachhaltige Chemie is a newly designed building dedicated to research and teaching in sustainable (green) chemistry. This educational facility not only expands the Straubing Research Center at the Technical University of Munich but also serves as the northern entrance to the campus.
The slender, three-story structure runs parallel to the dock and is situated behind the flood wall. Due to its location within the floodplain of the Danube River, the building is elevated on pillars, standing approximately 3 meters above ground level.
The building’s entrance is located on the second floor and is accessible via an elevated platform that wraps around most of the structure at the height of the flood wall. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a striking three-story central hall, featuring corridors and open staircases.
This central space acts as a communication hub, dividing the building into east and west wings. The hall extends outwards toward the riverbank, further emphasizing the building’s unique character.
The platform’s first level is primarily dedicated to teaching spaces. The upper levels house offices, research laboratories, and technical engineering areas.
On the first floor, a divisible auditorium is located on the north side, offering views of the Danube River. The southwest section features a cafeteria for students and faculty, complemented by an outdoor seating area near the main entrance.
The western wing contains lecture halls and seminar rooms of various sizes, while the eastern wing includes educational laboratories, a smaller second auditorium, and administrative offices.
The eastern section of the second floor is designed as a flexible research laboratory space. The southern experimental area features a higher ceiling, and all lab rooms face outward.
Consistent with the floor below, the interior of the second floor is occupied by staircases, technical equipment, and support spaces.
The western side of the second floor includes the upper entrance to the Great Hall. Offices, lounges, meeting rooms, and other staff areas are distributed around the atrium in the west wing.
The eastern section of the third floor is dedicated to housing main electrical, HVAC, and other central technical installations.
Parking is located on the first floor beneath the platform and must be cleared in the event of flooding.
The building’s exterior combines wood, glass, and concrete, creating a distinctive appearance. Most materials are sustainably sourced.
The vertical facade features a wooden frame, while the east-west facades are constructed with monolithic insulated concrete. The roofs are partially greened and equipped with photovoltaic panels oriented southward.
Project Drawings
△ Underground Floor Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
Project Information
Architect: Schuster Pechteld Schmidt Architekten
Area: 9,500 square meters
Completion Year: 2021
Photographer: Felix Meyer
Suppliers: Schüco, Fural, Heidelberger Beton (Heidelberg Cement), Nora, Pollmeier, RAICO, Schörghuber, Steico, Topakustik Acoustic Wall Panel, Warema
Design Team Leader: Christian Volles
Project Architects: Robert Bogner, Matthias Schmidt, Adriana Lopez Perez
Landscape Architect: Hinenthal Schaar
Power Consultant: Rücker+Schindele
HVAC Consultant: Climaplan
Structural Engineering: ISP Scholz
Laboratory Consultant: Dr. Heinekamp
Civil Engineering: MKS Architekten – Ingenieure
Acoustic Consultant: Hook Farny Ingenieure
Thermal Engineer: IFB Ingenieure
Location: Straubing, Germany
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up