The University of Hohenheim is in the countryside outside of Stuttgart and has a long tradition as a university focused on agriculture as well as environmental fields of study. 

The site is situated at the main route in the campus, between the old castle, newer buildings and the park. A site with great potential as a meeting point.The aim was to create a learning center with high quality interior atmosphere and strong links to the surrounding nature.

The project is based on two principles:

    - there is a strong connection to nature regarding material, technical,           spacial needs

    - the interior is reduced and clean, stairs are the dominant and structu-          ring element in the room

following the principles it means

    - technical needs are reduced and all technic is integrated in the stairs           and inner walls

   - the framework is slender and light which allows to blur the border           between inside and outside

The shape of the lecture hall is orientated on the movement trough the campus field. A transparent facade and a wide roof overhang create a feeling of being in a roofed landscape. 

As the site has an altitude difference of three meters the lecture hall can be perfectly integrated into the topography. To increase the integration into nature, stairs continue through the whole building into the outdoor area and form different zones to learn, eat and communicate. Three functional boxes, work like furniture, zone the inside into the lecture hall, foyer, cafeteria and more quiet areas. Inside the boxes additional functions as technical rooms are hidden.

Outdoors the stairs form a square and offer space for events, relaxation or gardening.

The steel framework allows a small collumn crosssection and a flat roof while there is still enough space to integrate technical needs.