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Classroom and Career Under One Roof: DHBW Heidenheim’s new building

  • 4 MIN. READ
  • 2025-08-28

Anyone attending the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Heidenheim can obtain a university degree in just three years while also gaining valuable professional experience – a study model that is highly sought after today.

To provide the right setting for teaching and research, the carefully designed building was constructed on the site of the former Württembergische Cattun Manufactur (WCM). With flexible spatial concepts, natural outdoor areas and innovative building technology, it sets new standards for contemporary university architecture. Covering an area of around 4,600 square metres, the building provides space for approximately 800 students from the Faculties of Engineering and Business, as well as for the children’s and youth development programme of the city of Heidenheim’s Future Academy (ZAK).

Modern learning environment for exchange and collaboration

With its two cubic structures set among landscaped outdoor areas, the new building designed by Nickl & Partner Architekten from Munich, is a visual standout. Their staggered arrangement creates clear structures, orientation and an open, welcoming atmosphere. Generous glazing brings ample daylight into the building and creates a visual link between the indoor and outdoor world. Inside, students are welcomed by a modern learning environment: flexible seminar rooms, digital infrastructure and communication zones provide ideal conditions for interdisciplinary exchange, focused study and creative collaboration.

The building accommodates 18 lecture rooms, PC laboratories, group and project rooms, meeting rooms, as well as 20 offices and additional support spaces. A particular highlight is the nearly 220-square-metre digitalisation laboratory that opens directly onto the outdoor areas. Atriums and a spacious foyer provide additional open meeting areas, encouraging dialogue between students and teaching staff.

A campus in the heart of nature

DHBW Heidenheim is right next to Brenzpark and blends harmoniously into its surroundings. With seating steps, lounging zones and a water feature, the outdoor areas encourage students to spend time outside and create an attractive setting that enhances daily campus life. This turns the campus into a great venue where both students and the public can meet.

VARIANT – proven in everyday university life

In university buildings with highly frequented areas, attention to detail is essential – including durable and reliable door solutions. The VARIANT hinge system has proven itself as an ideal choice with its robust construction and maintenance-free slide bearings, ensuring permanently smooth movement even under heavy load.

As an elegant design component, the knuckle hinges also blend seamlessly into the contemporary architecture of DHBW Heidenheim and emphasise its aesthetic quality. The hinge systems from SIMONSWERK contribute not only to safety and functionality in everyday academic life, but also support a high level of comfort and well-being for the occupants.

Sustainability as a guiding principle

The new building also sets benchmarks in ecological standards: A photovoltaic system covering around 300 square metres, with an output of 60 kWp on the roof and façade, supplies environmentally friendly electricity. Heating requirements are met by 64 energy piles anchored in the ground, coupled with two heat pumps that also provide passive cooling in summer. Together with its compact construction and the deliberate use of durable materials, the new building meets the highest standards of sustainable construction. The award of the BNB Silver certificate underlines this commitment and makes the building a model for resource-efficient university infrastructure.

The architecture firm Nickl & Partner placed particular emphasis on high-quality materials and attention to detail in this project – an approach also reflected in the choice of durable SIMONSWERK hinge systems.

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