A new building for the entire FAU family is being built in the heart of Erlangen
The dismantling of the former Organic Chemistry building at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is well underway. The State Construction Office Nuremberg plans to have completed demolition works by May. Over the next few years, a new building will be constructed on the site at Henkestraße 42 that will be of central importance to all students at FAU.
Progress is being made: In mid-February, the State Construction Office Nuremberg began the mechanical demolition of the old building on Henkestraße. In total, the project involves approximately 3,400 cubic meters of reinforced concrete and 1,400 cubic meters of masonry, which corresponds to a weight of about 11,300 tons. Some of the building materials can be recycled. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new lecture hall complex on Henkestraße will take place in May 2026, and shortly thereafter, work will begin on shoring the construction pit.
The former Organic Chemistry building dated from the 1960s and housed two lecture halls in addition to laboratories and offices. In 2018, the department moved to FAU Campus Erlangen South. Following the completion of the preparatory infrastructure works around the vacant building complex in 2025, the shell of the building underwent professional remediation of hazardous substances.
Paving the way for a modern university building
A new building is being constructed on approximately 9,600 square meters of usable floor space, which will house lecture halls, an experimental theater, the departmental library for archaeology, exhibition spaces, and FAU’s new Audimax. The Free State of Bavaria is investing more than 250 million euros in this modern gateway to the University. The architect’s office a+r from Stuttgart submitted the winning design for the new building at Henkestraße 42.
Artworks selected in a competition
Four works of art will also be installed in and around the new building; these were selected as the winning entries in a competition for art in architecture held last year and entitled “Kunst am Bau”. The focus was on selecting contributions that foster a sense of identity while also taking into account aspects of nature conservation and climate protection.
Detailed information on FAU’s campus development:
“Kunst am Bau” competition to find artwork for the new building on Henkestraße:
Further information:
Communications and Press
presse@fau.de
State Construction Office Nuremberg
poststelle@stban.bayern.de