Innovative Building Marks Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ First In-House Construction Project
A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony on July 16, 2025, will kick off Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ innovative LUCY construction project. The project marks the university’s first self-initiated construction project and will serve as a central meeting place and hub for students.
The interdisciplinary LUCY construction project will be used primarily for student coworking and will also offer space for lectures. It complements the university’s new campus complex—which includes the existing building on Lucy-Hillebrand-Straße and the new building—and will be constructed in a prominent location between the campus building, the parking garage, and the streetcar stop. Completion is scheduled for the summer semester of 2026.
Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman, President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences, explains: “We are very pleased to be opening a new chapter in the history of Mainz University of Applied Sciences with the groundbreaking ceremony for LUCY. This innovative construction project will not only serve as a central gathering place for our students but also symbolize our commitment to sustainable construction. At the same time, LUCY is a successful outcome of interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Focus on Sustainability
Special attention is being paid to the use of sustainable building materials and construction methods. Traditional materials such as wood, clay, and straw are being used, combined with modern construction methods such as screw foundations and a green roof with solar panels. The interdisciplinary research project aims to investigate the effects of these building materials on the indoor climate and to implement digital sustainability monitoring. The project is led by Nina Gommans and Daniel Ercin from the Department of Engineering, supported by Prof. Gero Quasten, Professor of Design and Energy-Optimized Construction at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
A Project by Students for Students
The concept for LUCY is based on the winning designs from the “Students in the Box” student competition held during the summer semester of 2022. The designs by Johanna Hofmann, Niklas König, and Justus Nixdorf were further developed into a unified concept that prioritizes flexibility and transparency. Versatile zones along the facade and a service core featuring a kitchenette, printer, restroom facilities, and technical infrastructure are central elements of the design.
This article was published on the website on July 16, 2025.