The Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen has inaugurated its new administrative headquarters in Giessen 's Ostanlage . The listed former district administration building, dating from the 1950s, has been completely renovated and now meets current energy efficiency standards. A new, transparent entrance wing connects the two buildings, which the state of Hesse purchased in 2009 for €3.6 million. Construction costs totaled approximately €7.83 million, of which €7.43 million came from federal funds under the second economic stimulus package, with co-financing from the state of Hesse. THM contributed €400,000.
"The university has already proven in the past that it has positioned itself excellently in the international academic competition. This new administrative headquarters, where all the threads will converge in the future, will further inspire this successful work," said Science Minister Eva Kühne-Hörmann. "The university has scored points as a pioneering provider of dual Degree Courses with the "StudiumPlus" model and with its strong application orientation as a competent cooperation partner for companies. The fact that the university also conducts excellent, cutting-edge research is demonstrated by its successes in the LOEWE research funding programme. To date, THM has participated in projects with a research volume of over 20 million euros." Kühne-Hörmann pointed out that the federal government's Economic Stimulus Package II, co-financed by the state, is nearing its successful conclusion. "Since 2009, a total of 114 measures have been implemented at Hessian universities and non-university research institutions."
THMPresident Prof. Dr. Günther Grabatin called the move to the Ostanlage a significant step Further for the university's development in Giessen . "This year, with over 13,000 students at our three locations, we have once again reached a record high. During this peak in student enrollment, the move to the Wiesenstraße campus provides us with urgently needed space for teaching and learning. The new location also connects us to our Civil Engineering Department in the southern campus and to the planned multiplex cinema at Berliner Platz, whose auditoriums we will use for classes. Furthermore, the university's administrative headquarters is now closer to the city center of Giessen . And as Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen , we want to be at the heart of the city," said Grabatin.
District Administrator Anita Schneider expressed her delight that "and especially how the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen has breathed new life into the former district administration building." She added that the integration and stronger anchoring of the university in the city center not only increases the university's attractiveness but also the region's appeal as a significant center of science.
The Hessian construction management was responsible for project management and control. Friedhelm Dorndorf, head of the central regional branch, pointed out that the building was dilapidated before the conversion. It was also difficult to comply with fire safety regulations and to take due account of monument protection requirements. The connection of the two buildings into one unit was successful.
The new domicile is located between the TH campus and the city's cultural town hall and offers almost 3,000 square meters of space for around 100 jobs. In addition to the presidium , the facility management, research and transfer, budget and human resources departments, among others, have moved in there.