The move of Goethe University Frankfurt’s Computer Science and Mathematics Faculty to Riedberg Campus is within reach: On September 28, Angela Dorn, Hessian Minister of Science and the Arts; Michael Boddenberg, Hessian Minister of Finance; and Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, President of Goethe University Frankfurt, broke ground for a new faculty building, located on Riedbergallee at the northern entrance of Riedberg Campus, opposite the “Uni-Campus Riedberg” subway station. To date, the offices of computer science and mathematics researchers have been located on Bockenheim Campus.
Foundations for technical innovations
“Advances in mathematics and computer science form the basis of technological innovations that enrich our society and help our economy grow,” science minister Dorn said at the ceremony. “In today’s connected world, new insights into artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important. Mathematics provides tools for solving complex problems – from optimizing supply chains to understanding climate change by means of mathematical models. In recent years, Riedberg Campus has evolved into a powerful hub in the Rhine-Main knowledge region, and thanks to the new building, computer science and mathematics researchers will soon be able to complement it perfectly.”
Marketplace for knowledge exchange
In the words of Hessian Finance Minister Michael Boddenberg: “A modern, natural science campus is being built on Riedberg. The new building for the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences will not only serve as a marketplace for knowledge exchange, but in terms of urban development will also in effect constitute the entrance to the campus. The state of Hesse will refinance a large part of the investment costs, which amount to some €95 million, thus paving the way for a new institute building that will add an important component to the modern, natural science-oriented campus.”
Goethe University President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff: “The groundbreaking ceremony for the new computer science and mathematics building is an important strategic milestone – not just for the university, but for the city and the state, too. For us, it means the campus at Science City Riedberg, including the new chemistry building, will be completed by the university in a few years. Both new buildings will serve as impressive enrichments to Science City and contribute to interdisciplinary cooperation, including with partner institutions within the non-university research facilities.”
Plans from Stuttgart and Frankfurt
Together with Frankfurt architects schneider+Schumacher, the Stuttgart-based architectural firm Auer Weber designed a five-story building consisting of two rectangular sections that are slightly offset from one another. Four inner courtyards offer a lot of light to the different building parts, which are connected by a common path. The flexible design of the interior creates spaces for larger and smaller teams and different means of learning and teaching. The total usable floor space comes to some 8,700 square meters. Earthworks are expected to begin in October 2023, with completion scheduled for June 2026. The construction will cost around €95 million and will initially be financed by Goethe University Frankfurt.
A total of 5,627 students were enrolled in the subjects of computer science and mathematics in the 2023 summer semester. There are 190 scientists researching and teaching at the faculty, plus 35 administrative employees as well as 180 student assistants.
Source: Pressemitteilung, Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, 28. September 2023
