Media centre Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz (DE)
New building
Client: Landesbetrieb Liegenschafts- und Baubetreuung (LBB), Mainz
Location: D-55122 Mainz, Saarstraße 21, Campus of Johannes Gutenberg University
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller
Competition: 2020, 1. prize
Construction: from 2025
Area: 16,633 m²
Programme: Production rooms, studios (audio, video), bluescreen studio, workshops, editing and viewing suites, multimedia laboratories, multimedia lecture hall, conference and seminar rooms, offices, storage
Visualisation: Dietrich Untertrifaller
Team
Fredi Botz, Chris Braun (Project management), Selina Breuer, Duarte Manuel Cardoso de Jesus, Ana Ferraro Kranevitter, Elvira Kinzner, Olivia König, Konstantin Lohmann, Théodor Lucquet, Dominik Österlein, Christian Porath, Oleksandra Telenkova, Manuela Türtscher, Heiner Walker
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Partners
Statics: Mathes, Chemnitz
Building services: Kofler Energies, Halle
Building physics: LBB CCE Koblenz
Acoustics: Bückle, Backnang
Electrics: Arnold & Hensel, Mainz
Fire protection: Galemann GBIC, Koblenz
Landscape, outdoor facilities: AO Landschaftsarchitekten, Mainz
Construction management, costs: Hammer Schwiderski, Mainz
Synergies for education and research
The institutes for media research at Johannes Gutenberg University are currently spread across seven locations. With the new media centre, we are concentrating all functions on the campus. This facilitates interdisciplinary work and creates synergies for teaching and research. The building is divided into a base and three upper floors, interspersed with inner courtyards with stepped, green terraces.
The basic concept of levels and boxes is reflected in the exterior façades with horizontal cornices and recessed loggias, some open, some with extensive glazing.
On the upper floors, the façade consists of a grid of prefabricated wooden elements and is structured by protruding wooden louvres. The generously glazed post-and-beam construction of the courtyard façades and the plinth area are clad with a smooth skin of recycled aluminium.
The foyer provides orientation
The foyer functions as an internal marketplace. Accompanied by views of the inner courtyards, it extends across all floors, creating clear and simple orientation. Side streets leading from the foyer provide access to the building's various functions such as lecture theatres, studios, multimedia labs and workshops.
Communicative corners and terraces
The corner areas of the building feature meeting points with kitchenettes and student workstations, creating differentiated areas for lounging, working and communicating. The extensively greened flat roof is fitted with elevated photovoltaic elements.
