The LUCY construction project is continuing to take shape. On June 9, Mainz University of Applied Sciences celebrated a traditional topping-out ceremony known as a Richtfest, marking the next step in the realization of the new building. Representatives of the university, the construction companies involved, and the building team came together to honor the next milestone in this forward-looking structure.
The centerpiece of the ceremony was the traditional carpenter’s verse. Here is a (translated) excerpt:
“May collaboration flourish here,
with respect and openness always near,
where many paths converge as one,
the finest solutions can be won.”
The words speak to a central idea behind LUCY: The project creates space for exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and new forms of shared learning and working. LUCY is a sustainable building of approximately 4,300 square feet, designed specifically for student work, collaborative learning, and creative processes.
LUCY exemplifies a new generation of university buildings, defined by sustainability, digitalization, and reversible construction methods. It was designed using timber and clay, with a focus on energy efficiency, deconstruction capability, and a minimal ecological footprint. The technical systems are need-based and low-tech in orientation, and the structure, built on ground screw foundations, can be dismantled without leaving a trace.
The LUCY interdisciplinary construction project is primarily intended for student coworking and also offers space for lectures. It completes the university’s new campus ensemble, which includes the existing building on Lucy-Hillebrand-Straße and the new construction. It is being built at a prominent location between the campus building, the parking garage, and the streetcar stop. Completion is planned for the 2026/2027 winter semester.
