Competition Win
New Institute of Geography and Geology and Seminar and Media Center (SMZ),
University of Greifswald
For the University of Greifswald, cepezed and Architekten BDA RDS Partner are designing a new building for the Institute of Geography and Geology together with the Seminar and Media Center (SMZ). Located on the central campus site next to the university library, the project creates high-quality spaces for teaching, laboratory research, academic exchange, and conferences. A façade motif of horizontal louvers references geological stratification in an abstracted form. The design concept follows the guiding idea of “together apart”: the institute and the SMZ appear as distinct volumes while remaining closely connected both functionally and spatially. A daylight-filled passage links the two buildings and serves as a central communication space.
The two-story Seminar and Media Center is conceived as a pavilion-like entrance to the campus, accommodating a generous foyer, lecture halls, and a publicly accessible exhibition area. The larger institute building provides offices, teaching rooms, laboratories, and specialized practice areas. Communication zones on all levels encourage interdisciplinary exchange. The project aims for certification under the German Sustainable Building Council’s Sustainable Building Rating System (BNB) at the Silver level. Planned measures include green roofs and photovoltaic systems, flexible floor plans, operable windows for natural ventilation, and a construction approach designed for future disassembly. The SMZ will be built using timber construction, emphasizing its pavilion-like character.
