Steintor Campus, Humanities and Social Sciences Centre of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

On the former site of the Agricultural Institute with experimental fields and stables, the Steintor Campus now extends, with an alternation of plazas and green structures, framed by university buildings. The buildings, some of which have been completely renovated and some newly constructed, provide space for 3,000 students and 350 employees. The over 18 m high striking "book cube", branch of the University and State Library, forms the entrance for the Humanities and Social Sciences Centre of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
The library on the generously and openly designed square functions as a meeting place for lecturers, students and interested persons. Two generous open staircases lead guests onto the campus grounds, which are composed of a historic park to the east and the open space structure spanning towards the west. The park, as part of the historic ensemble with old trees, forms the heart of the eastern campus space, which is adjacent to the Steintor Varieté.
Starting at the Steintor Passage, a connection opens up into the western campus area, which divides into two parallel path axes at the level of the library and spans sloping lawns. A central plaza connects the two path axes. The linear design language is supported by elongated seating elements made of concrete with partially coloured HPL panels. Grass ribbons and trees follow this alignment.
The difference in height represents an essential aspect of the design of the overall space. Tension-rich space and use sequences result from the necessity of retaining walls, ramps and stairways, whose design forms places of different quality of stay. The resulting sheltered areas with oversized seating cubes are conquered by the students. Coloured concrete paving creates band-like structures, which develop in the direction of laying against the line of use.
Single-coloured drainage lines separate the areas of use and thus support the structuring of the space.
The lighting concept is based on the dimension of the space. The elongated path axes are accompanied by high light columns, trees are accentuated by ground spotlights. On the other hand, bollard luminaires and ground spotlights set the scene for the park in an atmospheric way.
The newly created, inner-city campus has a positive effect on the development of the neighbouring districts. It brings together the various university buildings and offers a community centre for students and guests with impulses for further urban development.