University Universität Heidelberg: Cutting-Edge Research Building for Chemistry

Press Release No. 117/2024
21 October 2024

The replacement building is part of the overall complex at Im Neuenheimer Feld 270 to 276, which is occupied by the Institutes of Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and was built between 1951 and 1961. It consists of a longitudinal main building (INF 270) with six wings arranged at right angles, which only house laboratories. The existing building INF 272 could no longer be cost-effectively adapted to current requirements for laboratory buildings in terms of floor heights, fire protection, additional functional rooms, and energy-efficient climate technology. After its demolition, construction of the replacement began in 2020. Following completion in 2023, the building can now officially be put into use at a cost of around 26 million euros.

The new five-story building, with a usable area of more than 2,000 square meters, will be used in the future by the Institute of Organic Chemistry for research and teaching. The research areas include modular laboratories with separable evaluation zones, offices and computer rooms for planning, evaluation and theoretical work. Practical training areas with appropriate infrastructure are available for teaching. The technology, for instance for ventilation, gas supply or compressed air, is all located in the basement. The replacement building is connected to the main building INF 270 via a two-storey glass connecting structure. Part of the university’s structural development concept is to concentrate the highly equipped areas, especially for laboratories and practical areas, in the “extensions” – the wing buildings of the chemistry building complex. 

The ceremonial handover of the replacement building will be opened by Marco Grübbel, head of the Mannheim and Heidelberg office of the Baden-Württemberg state assets and construction company. The welcome address will be followed by speeches by Gisela Splett, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Finance, and Ministerial Director Dr Hans J. Reiter from the State Ministry of Science. Greetings will also be delivered by the Rector of Heidelberg University, Prof. Dr Frauke Melchior, the Mayor of Heidelberg, Prof. Dr Eckart Würzner, and the Executive Director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Prof. Dr Michael Mastalerz.