Second Common Room Opened on Campus

Chemnitz University of Technology students can now use well-equipped work islands in the new common room in the Weinhold-Bau

Just in time for the start of the summer semester 2022, Chemnitz University of Technology offers its students another place to learn and work together. The new so-called "common room" is located on the ground floor of the Weinhold-Bau and is the TU's first common room at the campus on Reichenhainer Straße.

Learn, work and relax

Five open work islands have been created in the foyer of rooms 057/058/060, inviting people to learn, exchange ideas and work creatively. Each island is a custom design. The different shapes of the wooden elements make it possible to adopt different sitting and working positions. In addition, the fixed islands can be supplemented with mobile stools, so that nothing stands in the way of larger group work. The new common room, which has been equipped with numerous power outlets and USB ports, is freely accessible to all students and also to employees. "Originally, the completion of this common room was already planned for 2021. However, the corona pandemic as well as the building materials crisis delayed implementation. I am therefore all the more pleased that we have finally been able to realize another common room that enriches campus life at Chemnitz University of Technology," says Monique Reuther from the TUCdiscover project, who played a key role in the implementation of the common rooms.

Desire for more learning spaces

In 2019, the first common room at Straße der Nationen 62 was implemented with comfortable sofa corners, bar tables, and separated workspaces, taking into account the needs of students. Evaluations of past TUCpanel surveys at the university showed that the lack of spaces for independent learning or gathering for study groups is a problem for students, and that there is a desire for free work places in a relaxed atmosphere. Aligned with these needs, Chemnitz University of Technology quickly began to create well-equipped common rooms.

Further common rooms are planned

In the future, common rooms are also to be created at other parts of the university. In Wilhelm-Raabe-Straße, the design drafts for the rooms have already been completed, so that implementation can begin soon. "In the Erfenschlager Straße part of the university, we are still at the very beginning with our planning. However, it is already certain that there will be a joint workshop with students and employees on the design of this space," says Reuther. 

Further information on the common rooms is available from Monique Reuther, e-mail monique.reuther@verwaltung.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Article: Mario Steinebach / Translation: Brent Benofsky)

Matthias Fejes
28.03.2022

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