Heart & Brain Center Göttingen

The planned building creates a joint research infrastructure for the scientific investigation of cross-organ causes of common diseases of the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. A comparable, direct experimental and translational collaboration of cardiovascular and neurological researchers is unique and does not yet exist at any other research location in Germany. It makes it possible to understand disease mechanisms and to develop prevention and therapy methods.

The construction site for the HBCG is located on the campus of the UMG in the immediate vicinity of the main building of the University Hospital with the cardiological and neurological facilities. The new building will contain joint cell and molecular biology laboratories, areas for the examination of test subjects, innovative large-scale equipment as well as offices, seminar and conference rooms.

The design is seen as one component of the overall planning of a new university medical campus in Göttingen. The building is designed as a compact three-story structure with a total of four floors from the basement to the second floor. The basement contains the microscopy rooms for the STED and the fluorescence microscope, as well as central storage and technical rooms. The first floor is reserved for subject operations with a reception and lounge area and the medical laboratories. On the 1st floor there are research laboratories as well as office space. On the 2nd floor, a seminar and conference area is also planned with a free upstream communication area to give the institute building suitable space as a think tank.

The duality of the two focal points "Heart" and "Brain" should also be readable from the outside in the facade. This is represented by elements that emerge from the facade in two directions of rotation. The change in their orientation leads to a harmonious, rhythmic overall picture as they progress across the floors. The design element of the slats can also be read inside the building. Wooden slats design the walls of the public areas and provide accents in the corridor areas, which are additionally occupied by "think boxes". These communication islands increase the quality of space and stay and correspond to the translational basic idea of the building.