New Research and Teaching Building for Heidelberg University’s Chemistry Institutes

After an approximately three-year construction period the new research and teaching building for Heidelberg University’s chemistry institutes on the Neuenheimer Feld campus is now ready for occupation. On this occasion the University Construction Office extends a cordial invitation to the inauguration ceremony on 5 October 2009. The new complex (Im Neuenheimer Feld 271), which cost 13.9 million euros, replaces its almost 50-year-old predecessor and provides research laboratories for scientists at the Institute of Organic Chemistry plus modern facilities enabling students to enhance their practical lab skills.

The new building boasts 2,074 square metres of main usable space over and against the 1,150 square metres available in the old building. Large-scale equipment is housed on the upper floor of the basement. Both here and on the ground floor are facilities where students can perfect their lab skills. The first and second floors are largely dedicated to research. The ventilation system is accommodated on the recessed top floor and on the lower floor of the basement. Access to the main chemistry building is assured by a three-storey, glazed linkway building. Also new is a separate, one-storey autoclave building for high-pressure experiments.

The new complex is the third stage in the ongoing plan for the overall renovation of the University’s chemistry buildings. The two previous stages were devoted to the construction of the first of the new buildings envisaged (INF 276) in 1998 and the renovation of the building Im Neuenheimer Feld 274 in 2003.

There will be speeches by the Rector of Heidelberg University, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Eitel, and the Lord Mayor of the City of Heidelberg, Dr. Eckart Würzner, after words of welcome from Rolf Stroux, chief clerk of works at the University Construction Office. The Director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Stephen Hashmi, and his colleague Prof. Dr. Günter Helmchen will be speaking on behalf of the scientists, staff and students of the Institute. The inauguration ceremony for the new complex will take place in the lecture-hall building (Im Neuenheimer Feld 252) and begins at 10 a.m.

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