All change for the Uni: the opening of the X Building

It is a sunny Friday when the new Building X (formerly the Replacement Building Universitätsstraße) is officially opened on 27 June 2014. In addition to the Faculty of Sociology and the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology, the new building also houses parts of the library as well as the canteen for the University and the University of Applied Sciences. The opening day is also the leaving day for outgoing University Chancellor Hans-Jürgen Simm.

Progress report on the construction work on the new replacement building in June 2012.
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Source: Universität Bielefeld, Campus TV

The festive opening after almost four years of construction began with welcome speeches in the foyer of Building X. In addition to NRW State Minister for Innovation, Science and Research Svenja Schulze and Bielefeld’s Mayor Pit Clausen, Chancellor Simm spoke of the new building as an indicator for the competitive edge of the university city of Bielefeld. Following the ribbon cutting to declare the building open, the ceremony continued in the new University canteen.

In October 2013, the eight lecture halls and 21 seminar rooms of the new building had already been opened for use in order to meet the higher spatial requirements due to double the number of pupils completing their Abitur (school leaving certificate) in that particular year. The central canteen (Mensa) with around 2,000 seats, shared cafeteria for the University and the University of Applied Sciences, moved into Building X only after the official opening in July 2014. After around 29 million meals had been served at the old university canteen located in the main building, the conversion felt like a big change for many University members. However, the new building offered many more possibilities for a modern university canteen, which made the changeover easier.

The new university canteen – farewell and a new beginning, 2014.
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Source: Universität Bielefeld

The building is designed to the latest technical specifications: It has a geothermal system with 81 geothermal probes and ceilings with water-carrying pipes. This serves to keep emissions as low as possible.

  • At the ribbon cutting ceremony on 27 June 2014 to officially open Building X (from left to right): Chancellor Hans-Jürgen Simm, Reginbert Taube (BLB), Svenja Schulze (NRW State Minister for Innovation, Science and Research), Mayor Pit Clausen, Rektor Prof. Dr. Gerhard Sagerer.
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    Photo: Norma Langohr
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • The construction work on the new building opposite the Main University Building commences in May 2011.
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    Photo: Norma Langohr
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • The shell of the building is completed in June 2012.
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    Photo: unknown
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • A view of Building X.
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    Photo: Nina Hinkers
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • Aerial photo of the completed Building X from September 2014.
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    Photo: unknown
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • View into a dining hall of the university canteen in Building X.
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    Photo: Susi Freitag
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • View of the staircases in Building X.
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    Photo: Markus Paulussen
    Source: Universität Bielefeld
  • View into a lecture hall in Building X.
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    Photo: Susi Freitag
    Source: Universität Bielefeld