Student House

Braunschweig

Student House

structural engineering, special structures Services

Gustav Düsing & Max Hacke Architect

Resource-efficient structure for a modern learning landscape in a adaptable space

Project

The construction of the Student House at the Technical University of Braunschweig is understood as a multifunctional space and provides over 1,000 m² of space for 160 workstations for learning and leisure activities. The two-story floor plan is formed without solid walls and allows for a lot of flexibility. Due to the open layout of the required program points, it can respond to changing requirements. Only the core shows enclosed areas, where a kitchenette, sanitary facilities, lockers, and a seminar room are accommodated.

A material-saving, delicate steel construction with lightweight floor elements and fixed columns

Steel structure

The structure consists of a delicate steel framework with a transparent glass facade all around. The steel hollow sections of the columns and beams have dimensions of 10x10cm and form a modular spatial structure. The floors are hung between the beams using lightweight cross-laminated timber elements. The building is braced through bracings integrated into the functionally required wall areas. Electrical cables and sockets are integrated into the hollow profiles, and the connection of all components is achieved through hidden fastenings.

Circularity of the construction as a central part of the planning

Sustainability

The innovative structural concept is characterized by high resource and emission efficiency as well as circularity, which is particularly reflected in the reversibility of the primary structure. All components can be easily dismantled and reused in the same or modified combinations after the lifespan of the building. The modularly designed support system can also be easily expanded, reduced, or supplemented. Already at the beginning of the planning process, the possibility of future reuse of the building and its components was considered and used as a decision-making basis in all planning steps. In order for the Student House to be reused or serve as a future material store, each component must be easily and residue-free dismantlable and clearly identifiable in terms of mechanical and structural properties. For this reason, the structure is designed as easily joinable and completely non-destructive separable construction based on the principle of "Design for Disassembly".