One of the places are always on my bucket list when on the road are the university or academic centers. I am interested not only in the academic life, but also in the architecture and the ways in which intellectual histories were inserted as part of the local branding. Recently, I visited the 600-year old Leipzig University.
I noticed the interesting combination of styles and volumes during my first visit around Augustusplatz, the center of the city, but only this time was able to find out more about the history. This part of the building that looks as a religious space used to be Paulinenkirche, destroyed in 1968 by the communists and reintroduced in the building according to the modern plans.
On the other end of the book-shaped building complex, the 142.5-meter building created in 1978 as part of the socialist Karl-Marx University that nowadays is used by private owners.
The main lobby, near the main entrance has a main office where one can be directed for various information, but also a computer corner. Old and new history are combined: a submarine construction behind classical sculptures are meant to create the bridge between the new and old scholars. The Leipzig university was created in 1409, and in 1544, the elector Moritz of Sachsen allowed to the university the space of the Collegium Paulinum. Following the Reform, the church and monastery were donated to the university.
In 1830, there were started the constructions for a new building, under the coordination of Albert Geutebruck, inaugurated 5 years later. In 1870, the university was already out of capacity, and a new university complex was erected by Arwed Rossbach, composed by the following wings: Albertinum, Johanneum and Paulinum.
The intellectual model was the University of Prague, from where many if the teachers were originally from. They moved to the German lands because of the religious persecutions following the Husite wars. Since its creation, the research continued non-stop. During the war, the university was partially destroyed, and was reopened on 5 February 1946 under Soviet control. The new socialist complex from 1978 was added with new buildings after the reunification of Germany. On 24 March 2004, a jury selected the project of the Rotterdam architectural office Erik van Egeraat Associated Architects.
The interior yard is a place of meeting, learning, socializing and meditation. The buildings around are hosting a library, a bank office, the Mensa/canteen, a newly opened breakfast bistro and the entrance to the library. The library was created in 1543 and is considered one of the oldest of this kind in Germany. It has 5 million volumes and around 7,700 periodicals.
The students tried to create their own identity marks sending their art and social messages. Due to space restrictions, several locations of the university are hosted in different areas in town. The university degrees cover both graduate and post-graduate studies. In the Augustusplatz building, the main specialities are: Media, Mechanical and Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Social Sciences.
The university building was awarded several architectural awards, but this is only a part of the prestige of this university center. The university is ranked second in Germany and 20th in Europe. Regularly, over 29,000 students, not few of them fro outside Germany, are registered for classes.
As expected in an university space, there are frequent social and political messages displayed. Leipzig is also called the 'Heldenstadt'/'The city of heroes', especially due to the contribution to finally shaking the communist system during the peaceful revolution that took place in the city more than two decades ago.
The memory is always present. Fragments of original frescoes depicting historical scenes are featured in the Auditorium.
The dynamic life of the university sends a message about the newly recovered economic strength of the city itself. After the fall of communism, the city succeeded to adapt its old trade traditions to the challenges of the market economy. Amazon and DHL decided to establish here their main operational headquarters in Europe, and the city is boosting of life, bikes and intense cultural activities. With 21 museums, 6 public libraries and many concert and theatre venues, Leipzig is developing successfully its new academic identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment