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From Plan to Build – Milestones of the New GEOMAR Building
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2012
September 06, 2012: Decision in the architectural competition for the new GEOMAR Extension Building. The first prize was awarded to the design by Staab Architekten GmbH. A single-story base serves as the basis, on which individual building structures of varying size and height are placed. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
The Berlin architects chose a design characterized by a strong contrast between the Corten steel base and the glass façade of the attached building towers. Illustration: Staab Architekten
More than 236 offices, 170 laboratories, 6 conference and seminar rooms, 15 meeting rooms, a central library and a computer center are planned for the new extension building with a total area of 30,000 m².
Outlook at the model: Prof. Dr. Peter Herzig, GEOMAR Director until 2021 (center) with State Secretary Rolf Fischer (left), architect Alfred Nieuwenhuizen of Staab Architekten (2nd from left) and Michael Wagner, GEOMAR Administrative Director until 2018 (right). Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
The former Minister of Education and Science of Schleswig-Holstein, Prof. Dr. Waltraud Wende, informed herself about the planned Extension Building during her inaugural visit to GEOMAR on September 07, 2012. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
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2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2015
March 2015: New façade design for the new extension building presented.
In the original design from 2012, a smooth double-skin facade made of glass was planned. The revised façade made of folded and partially perforated aluminum sheets is comparatively inexpensive, also durable and at the same time meets the requirements for solar protection. In the new design by Staab Architekten GmbH, the façade of the new GEOMAR building is designed with triangular design elements as sail-like facets whose effect changes as the incidence of light changes. Visualizations: Staab Architekten
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2016
Aerial view of the site on Kiel's eastern shore before removal of the old buildings. Photo: Andreas Villwock/GEOMAR.
March 2016: Demolition work on building 6. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
March 2016: Demolition work on building 6. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
June 2016: Demolition work on building 5. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
July 2016: Demolition work on building 5. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
September 21, 2016: Issuance of the building permit for the new extension building.
View of the vacant construction site in October 2016 from building 8.
Photo: Christoph Kersten/GEOMAR
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2017
March 2017: The construction sign is up, a visible sign of the imminent start of civil engineering work and the construction of the base plate for the new extension building. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
27.03.2017: Groundbreaking ceremony for the GEOMAR Extension Building. GEOMAR Director Prof. Dr. Peter Herzig, Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Torsten Albig, MinDir. Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher from the BMBF, Kiel's Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer and GEOMAR Administrative Director Michael Wagner actively supported the excavator with their spades while digging the construction pit. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
May 2017: Excavation of the building pit. In the western construction field, the excavators dig meter by meter into the depth. Photo: GEOMAR construction team
May 2017: Excavation of the building pit. To prevent the excavation pit from filling up with water from the neighboring Schwentine River or from rain showers, water is permanently pumped out in the excavation pit and with a drainage system running around the excavation pit. Photo: GEOMAR construction team
June 2017: The base of the building made of solid reinforced concrete was erected on an absolutely level and dry so-called clean layer so that there are no deviations and distortions in the structure later. Photo: GEOMAR construction team
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2018
February 2018: The construction site of the extension building. After completion of the civil engineering works and the ground slab in 2017, the first construction elements of the first floor are now attached. Photo: Ralf Schwarz/GEOMAR
Concrete mixer trucks wait to be used for shell construction. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
A concrete pump is used to pump the delivered concrete to the required location. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
The construction area with reinforcements and formwork for filling the concrete. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
The fresh concrete is immediately installed in the reinforcement of a floor slab. Photo: Jan Steffen/GEOMAR
Concrete casting work on tower 3. With the help of a pump more than 15 meters high, the concrete is pumped up to the roof. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
View of the construction site from the Schwentine side in June 2018. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
In August 2018, the individual elements and towers of the ENB can already be clearly seen. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
View from the west in September 2018. The shell of Towers 4 and 5 has already been completed. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2019
The new extension building in July 2019. In the foreground, parking facility and Core & Rock Repository . Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
Main entrance with towers 1, 2 and 3. The shell is in place and scaffolding is being erected to install the windows and facade elements. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
Structural elements made of Corten steel with their characteristic patina. This special structural steel forms a particularly dense barrier layer under the rust, which protects the component from further corrosion. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
Now that the building has been protected from the weather by the installation of the windows, work can also take place inside the building since August 2019. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
Interior finishing in detail: drywall, masonry interior walls, screed work and installation of ventilation shafts. Photos: Armin Form/GEOMAR
Since fall 2019, the shell has slowly been getting a face: attachment of the façade elements made of perforated aluminum sheeting on Tower 4. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2020
October 2020: A video tour of the new extension building with GEOMAR Director Katja Matthes
The new extension building in August 2020. Photo: Nikolas Linke/GEOMAR
The large and spacious concrete halls are already divided by the drywall that has been installed in the meantime. They already clearly reveal the future office and laboratory spaces. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
View into the model laboratory, where all facilities have already been completed. Here, the companies involved in the construction can coordinate their interfaces once again on site before all other laboratories are built. Photo: Marie Gundlach/GEOMAR
The future laboratories and climate chambers are densely packed on their ceilings with various pipes for laboratory and seawater, gases, heating, electricity and EDP. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
Ventilation center in the basement. For the room air alone, around 180,000 cubic meters of air are processed here per hour - this corresponds to the amount of air that a person breathes in and out in about 40 years. Photo: Marie Gundlach/GEOMAR
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2021
Aerial view with overview of the Schwentine, the Seefischmarkt area and the Kiel Fjord. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
View of the GEOMAR site East at the Seefischmarkt area. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
View from the Schwentine to the ENB construction site with the research vessel ALKOR. Photo: Jens Klimmeck/GEOMAR
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2022
Tower 2 of the ENB with a Corten steel facade. Among other facilitis, it houses the library and various conference and seminar rooms. Photo: Sarah Kaehlert/GEOMAR
Interior of the conference room in February 2022. Photo: Sarah Kaehlert/GEOMAR
August 2022: The expansion of the laboratories continues to progress. Photo: Armin Form/GEOMAR
View of the stairwell at the main entrance as seen from the second floor. Photo: Sarah Kaehlert/GEOMAR
The staircase from the 3rd floor. An artistic video installation will be projected onto the large wall surface after ENB commissioning. Photo: Sarah Kaehlert/GEOMAR
This is not an art installation, but part of the air shaft system insulated with aluminum foil in the ventilation center. Photo: Sarah Kaehlert/GEOMAR
13.09.2022: A fire occurred during work on the roof of the ENB, and a workman was slightly injured. The fire department was able to quickly bring the fire under control. Photo: Marc Busse/GEOMAR | More Info
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2023
2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2024
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
Proud of the new lighthouse for marine research (from left): Dr Ulf Kämpfer, Lord Mayor of the City of Kiel, Frank Spiekermann, Administrative Director of GEOMAR, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR, Daniel Günther, Minister President of the State of Schleswig-Holstein, and Karin Prien, Minister of Education of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
At the inauguration ceremony, the typhoon, which also loudly announces the start of Kiel Week, sounds in keeping with the location and the building. From the left: Dr Ulf Kämpfer, Lord Mayor of the City of Kiel, Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Daniel Günther, Minister President of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
“We are grateful and look forward to addressing global questions from this newly created modern campus and to engaging together with partners from around the world for the protection and sustainable use of the ocean for future generations", says GEOMAR Director Professor Dr. Katja Matthes. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
"With the new extension, GEOMAR has a marine research campus that does justice to its scientific excellence: Large, bright and contemporary," says Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
“We are proud that one of the best marine science institutes of the world is located in Schleswig-Holstein. With this new campus, GEOMAR will secure its leading position in global ocean research in the long term", says Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
"The typhoon’s signal is already music to my ears, because we use it to open our unique Kiel Week every year. Now it also marks the official start for the future viability of ocean research in this modern new building, for which I offer my warmest congratulations", says Kiel's lord Mayor Dr. Ulf Kämpfer. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer
Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger honoured GEOMAR's research on marine carbon storage, for example in the research mission CDRmare of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM). Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
During her tour, Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger informed herself about the research of GEOMAR and its partners in Cabo Verde. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
The band "Pol and Friends" brought Cape Verdean flair to Kiel and built a bridge to the archipelago, which has a long-standing research collaboration with GEOMAR. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
Volker Staab from Staab Architekten GmbH gave a short welcome speech during the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
21.05.2024: Inauguration of the new GEOMAR building
Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (right) and GEOMAR Director Professor Dr Katja Matthes taking a look behind the scenes: The seawater centre supplies the researchers for their experiments in the new GEOMAR building. Photo: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR
Factsheet
The New GEOMAR Building
Timeline 2012-2024:
Milestones of the new extension building
